Tom Brady Shares Single Regret From NFL Playing Days

Tom Brady has always been a passionate guy. But in his retirement phase, Brady wishes he had dialed back that fervor as a player and learned to have more fun playing the game.

Brady led plenty of heated moments during his time on the NFL sidelines. Some argue that the seven-time Super Bowl champ couldn't have been special without it …

NFL Great Tom Brady wishes he had embraced his fun side during playing days. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Brady shared his only career regret during an interview on The Pivot podcast with Ryan Clark. In the chat, Brady acknowledged that guys like Patrick Mahomes taught him that he could've played his way to the NFL pantheon and been much more laid back.

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"When I see these young players, I see like Patrick [Mahomes] out there at quarterback, running around, laughing, having fun, I'm like, "I used to be like that. What the hell happened?'' Brady shared. 

He added, "I just got too serious, but, again, I can only look back and think, 'Okay, if I do it again, which I'll never do it again, I would be different." But the reality is, you can't.'"

Could Brady have been the same player with a slightly different attitude? It's hard to imagine after 23 seasons of watching Brady play. That edge also helped fellow greats like Peyton Manning reach the heights that he did. 

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sideline during the first quarter in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Brady noted, "When I got older, I would enjoy practice more than the games because I felt like I had such high expectation in the game."

Brady's intensity followed him from his humble beginnings as a backup in New England to his high-stakes move to Tampa Bay before he won a championship for the Buccaneers. He even credited that passion as he transitions to the broadcaster's booth; maybe this means we'll get a more tranquil Brady calling games for FOX next year.

"So you learn from it. Now, next phase of life, enjoy it a little more," he concluded.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: Tom Brady attends Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of Paramount Pictures' "80 For Brady" at Regency Village Theatre on January 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

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