Tom Brady reveals the overlooked reason practice squad players never succeed in the NFL
It’s not a lack of talent.
Brady watched it happen for 20 years. The pattern was undeniable.
As soon as a practice squad player got promoted and had to perform under real pressure, they crumbled. It took years for Brady to understand why.
“There’s 53 guys on the active roster and there���s now 15 guys on the practice squad. So there’s 68 players. But those practice squad players are important because if anybody on the active roster gets hurt, they can get elevated to the squad.”
“These scout team receivers would come in and practice with the scout team and they do really well. And I’d be watching. I’m like, ‘Man, we got to get that guy. Let’s get him up on offense. He’s making a lot of plays.’”
“Then all of a sudden, we’re like, ‘Hey man, you’re doing really well. You got to come over here and deal with the pressure of succeeding now that you have expectation.’”
“And these guys are like, they weren’t prepared for it. So whatever we saw in practice against where there was not a lot of pressure, now when they’re put in a situation where there’s an expectation for performance, they’ve never had to personally deal with that and then they fail.”
“And then what I realized was a lot of guys on those practice squads, they don’t want to be elevated to the roster.”
“They’re very happy living this life where they could tell their family and friends, which I have no problem with that. But the reality is a lot of guys don’t want the pressure of dealing with top.”
Twenty years in the league and seven Super Bowl rings later, Brady learned that talent wasn’t the hardest thing to find.
It was people who actually wanted the pressure that comes with being great.
Look at where you're stuck. Be honest about what's keeping you there. Especially if it's uncomfortable.
Then move. Needle-moving action. Imperfect action with relentless consistency. Pointed at the right target.
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AI won't save you. Neither will the next course, the next tool, or the next person saying "it's not your fault."
Here's the brutal truth about the magic pill everyone's selling right now...
The question isn't "what tool am I missing?"
It's this: "What behavior is keeping me crooked, and what do I replace it with?"
Right action first. Amplification second.
Not the other way around.
Stop waiting for the version of the story that lets you off the hook.
Jesus loves effort. Keep doing what you can, when you can.
I just heard a talk where a story of a 100 year old man was running a race with others much younger. They all finished when he still had multiple laps to go. Yet, he pressed on. With one lap to go, the crowd started cheering him on. Down the home stretch, the crowd roared for him and when he crossed the finish line - the other participants embraced and cheered for him.
Run your own race. I am cheering for you. Thousands of others and angels in heaven are cheering for you.
And no matter how far you get or how long it takes - Jesus Christ makes up the difference. He loves you. He does not shame. You can do this.
@realsashastone Just open your heart and speak whatever comes out like you're talking to someone who loves you, accepts you, believes in you, and is worthy of your trust. (Cause you are 😊 💙)