When a determined Michigan QB Tom Brady assured his parents of greatness during his senior year: "I'm gonna be a household name"

Tom Brady played college football at Michigan from 1996 to 1999 but didn't start out as the starting QB for the Wolverines. In his first two years of playing at Ann Arbour, he was the backup for Brian Griese but eventually earned the starter job in 1998 after battling against Drew Henson.

As the starting QB, Brady threw for a career-high 2,636 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his senior year? he continued his impressive showout by throwing for 2,586 yards and 20 touchdowns.

While reflecting on his journey from Ann Arbor to the New England Patriots, he said, as per ESPN CFB on YouTube in 2023:

"I had a confidence in me. I always felt like, even going back to Michigan, I always said, 'man, if they put me on the field, they're never gonna take me off.' and I remember I was eating breakfast in Ann Arbor after a game one day in my senior year.

"My parents were in there with me, we're having breakfast that day after the day and I said, 'one day I'm gonna be a household name.' And I said it as a joke but man, I think now I look back 23 years later, and I go, 'f*ck, a household name.'"

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Tom Brady reacts to death of Michigan counselor

The former Michigan Wolverines QB was "heartbroken" by the news of Greg Harden's death.

Harden was the former Michigan administrator and mental coach who began working with the program in 1986. Known as the "secret weapon," many star Michigan athletes, like Jalen Rose, J.J. McCarthy and Desmond Howards reacted to the news.

Tom Brady wrote a message on Harden's death:

"I'm so sad to hear the news of Greg's passing. I'm heartbroken as he was a dear friend and mentor. There are so many beautiful qualities Greg had that endeared him to so many people over his years at Michigan.

"He meant the world to me, and I could never have had the success I had without the time, energy, love and support he had given me," he added. "He will be truly missed."

Tom Brady said to "60 Minutes" in 2014:

"He will always be somebody I rely on for sound advice and mentorship. He has helped me with my own personal struggles in both athletics and in life. Greg really pushed me in a direction that I wasn't sure I could go."

Apart from Tom Brady, Harden was also the counselor for the Olympic legend, Michael Phelps, when he trained at the university.