Considering Peyton Manning His “Enemy” Motivated Tom Brady

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning became great friends off the field, but on it, they were fierce rivals who did not see eye to eye.

Considering Peyton Manning His “Enemy” Motivated Tom Brady

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning (Image via IMAGO)

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Peyton Manning played a big part in shaping Tom Brady’s NFL career. Brady looked up to the Mannings even before entering the league with the New England Patriots.

Manning was already a star for the Indianapolis Colts, and the two athletes often decided the fate of the AFC. In the latest entry on his website, Brady wrote how he used the big-brain shot caller from Louisiana as his motivation to reach the heights he did.

Brady created a scenario where he hated Manning for his achievements so early on in his career. He balled out for the Tennessee Volunteers and became the number one pick in the NFL draft, which was the exact opposite of Brady, who was the 199th overall pick.

Convincing myself that those things were true created a sense of urgency within me to prove him wrong, and it provided the extra bit of energy and motivation necessary to lock in.

Tom Brady wrote

Brady led the Patriots to multiple Super Bowl wins in the first few years in the league. Manning, meanwhile, bagged five league MVPs. They ruled the NFL from 2004 to 2015.

I needed someone to look up to, who inspired me to be better, and who gave me a target to aim for. Now when I see him, the only thing I can say is thank you. Thank you for challenging me to be the best I could be.

Manning retired after lifting his second Lombardi Trophy in Denver. Brady stuck around another eight years to secure a total of seven Super Bowl victories—six with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retired definitely after the 2022 season.

The rivalry is no longer there. Now they share friendship and admiration for one another.

Manning made a special guest appearance on the day Brady was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame at Foxboro. The 49-year-old recalled a fun moment that very few knew about.

I said, ‘Tom, let’s get together, go under the radar, and don’t tell anybody we’re coming in.’ Tom flies in on Mr. Kraft’s plane. We lifted weights together. We threw together with these high school receivers. We took their phones away.

Peyton Manning told the crowd who had gathered

Peyton Manning revealed that neither he nor Brady wanted anyone to know that they were friends off the field.

We said, ‘If you tell anybody that Tom Brady and I are working out together and that we’re friends, we’re going to kill all of you‘.

Manning joked

Now, they no longer have to hide their friendship from anyone. Once rivals, now great friends.

Tom Brady found an interesting souvenir in Japan

After finishing his layover in Europe, Brady and his bandwagon traveled to the other side of the globe and landed in Japan. The 47-year-old came across something incredible at a card shop in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Considering Peyton Manning His "Enemy" Motivated Tom Brady
Retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady during his Tampa Bay Buccaneers days (Image via IMAGO)

It was a mint-condition Tom Brady trading card.

Brady has excellent arm strength. He can really get the pass to his target quickly. An outstanding athlete. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard that.

Brady can be heard saying in the video

He also bought a Randy Moss card when the Hall of Famer was still playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

In the latter half of the video, Brady and his daughter Vivian were seen learning to use the katana (traditional Japanese sword).

Brady will return to the broadcast booth in September. He and Kevin Burkhardt will be present at the Lincoln Financial Field to cover the week one game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

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