"I was never the first guy chosen": When Tom Brady spoke of his struggles as a college athlete

Most NFL fans are familiar with Tom Brady's illustrious career and his record-breaking seven Super Bowl wins. His story is an inspiration not only to football fans but to athletes worldwide, particularly because of his unconventional beginnings.

Drafted 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady was a sixth-round pick, with few teams showing significant interest in him after a lackluster performance at the NFL Combine. He acknowledged during the draft that he wasn't the top prospect at the time, but within a few years, he forced everyone to reconsider their assessment.

Fresh off his Super Bowl LIII victory, Brady revealed a poignant truth about himself during an interview with ABC News in February 2018. He confessed:

"I struggled in college," he said. "I struggled at the early part of my career... Like, I was never the first guy chosen."

Brady's journey began at Junipero Serra High School before he enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1995. For his first two years, he saw limited playing time, overshadowed by Brian Griese. He was a starter in 1998 and 1999 but had to frequently share duties with Drew Henson.

A similar narrative unfolded when Brady entered the NFL, where he spent his rookie season on the bench. However, an injury to Drew Bledsoe the following season opened a door of opportunity for the future legend, and he never looked back.

Despite his record-breaking achievements, Brady couldn't shake off the feeling of being an afterthought. As he put it in 2019:

"And it's (the feeling) not going anywhere."

Tom Brady wants to leave positive impact on others

Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady - Source: Imagn

His sixth Super Bowl victory in 2019, tied the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins by any franchise. No other athlete in the sport comes close to this level of achievement.

After hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2019, he said:

"I don't know what to think... Other than I'm just blessed, and I know that I'll be giving back for the rest of my life."

He further expressed his desire to mentor young players and serve as a positive role model for the next generation of athletes. Tom Brady has been an analyst on TV post his playing days and is a co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.