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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could equal the three Super Bowl championships his childhood hero Joe Montana won with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. (Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
New England quarterback Tom Brady has a chance to make history in Super Bowl XLIX.
If the Patriots defeat Seattle, Brady will earn his fourth Super Bowl ring — tying Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for the most by a quarterback in NFL history.
If Brady is voted the Most Valuable Player, it’ll be his third MVP award, tying Montana for the most in Super Bowl history.
Win or lose, Brady’s legacy is secure as one of the greatest in history at his position.
“It’s hard to think about those things,” Brady said. “I’ve just been fortunate to be on some great teams.
“Those guys (Montana and Bradshaw) are unbelievable players, just so great. I was the biggest 49er fan growing up, and to watch Joe and Steve Young, who were my two idols, was so special.”
And Brady has played in more Super Bowls than both of them.
“To make the Super Bowl is an amazing experience,” he said. “To do is once and then six times is very, very special.
“To have an opportunity to play in this game is really unbelievable. I never thought I’d have the experience to play in one of these.”
Nobody expected much from Brady when the Patriots selected him in the sixth round in 2000. When he was elevated to replace the injured Drew Bledsoe the next season, nobody expected Brady to lead them to their first Super Bowl victory.
Coach Bill Belichick saw something special in Brady. They’ve become the most prolific coach-player combination in league history.
“I think how consistently good they’ve been at their jobs,” said offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. “They care so much about doing things well. They go through every detail. Their preparation is just endless.
“To me, how they’ve been able to sustain this level of success at their position has been an unbelievable thing for me to witness. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from both men. They’ve taught me a lot about football, a lot about life, a lot about working hard, a lot about the right way to do things.”
McDaniels is in his second tour of duty with the Patriots. He works closely with Belichick and Brady. He has a good idea of how they’ve been able to sustain their success over the years.
“There’s never a satisfaction with what happened in the past,” Belichick said. “There’s always a forward-thinking vision with both of them. When the season ends, we’re not basking in the glory of however many victories we had or whatever we’ve accomplished. We’re looking forward to the combine and the draft.
“There’s always a push forward, what can we do to be better. We understand that this year’s challenge is going to end with our last game, and then we’re on to next year’s challenge.
“I’ve never seen either one of those two guys even have a hint of complacency in their job. The way that they come in and work the next year like last year never even existed, is really, really a neat thing to see.”
Brady won his first three Super Bowls but lost the last two to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. He’s determined to get that elusive fourth ring.
“You’ve got to have ambition, and you’ve got to have a belief that you can accomplish those things, or else why would you play?” Brady said. “Why would you work hard if you didn’t think you could accomplish that?
“You also know the reality of football is a contact sport, and your career can end at any one point, so it’s a blessing to be able to be here. It’s a blessing to make it through a full season and not get injured. It takes a lot of good luck and a lot of blessings and a lot of prayers to walk off the field every single game.”
Brady plans to walk off the field at University of Phoenix Stadium as a champion. But he’s got to lead the Patriots to a victory over a Seattle defense that’s allowed only nine points a game over the last eight games, all victories.
“The Seahawks have a great defense, no doubt about it,” he said. “They’re first in the league in almost every category. They limit you in yards and points and don’t make anything easy.
“You really have to work hard to gain yards. They present a lot of challenges in all three elements of their defense, so it’s a big challenge.”
During the week leading up to today’s game, some players said they had been dreaming of playing in a Super Bowl since they were in high school.
Not Brady.
“I never imagined this in my wildest dreams,” he said. “I loved playing sports growing up. I loved having a chance as a kid to play with my friends, so to play football in the street with the older boys was fun. It’s pretty unbelievable to be able to play in six. It’s really a privilege.
“I’ve played with so many great teammates over the years, guys that really made the Patriot legacy and what our team has been all about.”
Julian Edelman has become one of the Brady’s go-to receivers.
“TB throws a pretty ball and is constantly working to try to improve that,” Edelman said. “It’s unbelievable to see.
“He’s always working on his fundamentals. It just shows guys like me, guys who are younger, that you have to put the work in and Tommy does that. That’s why he’s one of our leaders.”
Author John McClain has covered the NFL for the Houston Chronicle for more than 30 years. Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports editor Nick Eaton at 206-448-8125, nickeaton@seattlepi.com or @njeaton.
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