'It's hard to give up football': Tom Brady's thoughts on the 'middle miles' for aging NFL quarterbacks

Tom Brady shares his life-after-football wisdom with Aaron Rodgers. Advice on aging and still trying to perform at a top level from one NFL legend to another that can serve as a lesson for any of us.

It’s NFL playoff season. Even casual sports fans have likely found themselves gathered around a TV at a bar, restaurant or social event (maybe even a phone at a wedding or recital) to catch the dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks and overtime thrillers that define this postseason.

However, with each big win comes a cost. Just look at the upheaval of Sean McDermott getting fired by the Buffalo Bills and Mike Tomlin leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers following playoff losses.

Tomlin stepped down after nearly two decades of leading the Steelers to .500 or better records—an unbelievable feat. He won a Super Bowl along the way, but his team hadn’t won a playoff game in nearly a decade. McDermott got the ax despite only missing the playoffs once in nine seasons in Buffalo.

Both McDermott and Tomlin (who coincidentally played college football together at William & Mary) put the focus on winning in the NFL. Between them, they have only one losing season in 28 years. However, Tomlin was the only one to guide his team to a Super Bowl, last appearing in the big game after the 2010 season, when his Steelers lost to Aaron Rodgers’ Packers.

In another twist of fate, Rodgers is the same QB who just walked off the field in defeat alongside Tomlin, after the legendary veteran decided to give it a go in Pittsburgh this season.

That brings me to the focus of today’s post.

Focusing on football becomes harder with age, just ask Tom Brady

Even before Tomlin and Rodgers walked into the locker room at Acrisure Stadium (the former Heinz Field) after their 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, questions about their futures were swirling. Tomlin didn’t wait long to address his plans; the next day, the Steelers announced he wouldn’t return. Rodgers remains in limbo, with sources floating the idea of the Steelers reuniting with the QB before the team has even hired its next coach. Rodgers has yet to say what he plans to do next.

Rodgers is just the latest in a string of Hall of Fame-caliber QBs who kept playing at a high level into their 40s: Brett Favre, Drew Brees and Tom Brady all did it, and Philip Rivers—whom I watched play against my Maryland Terrapins in college more than two decades ago—just did it this season.

One of those greats—arguably the greatest of them all—offered some insight into what Rodgers might be thinking.

"My last season was tough," Brady said in a recent interview with FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd. "It was a challenge," Brady added, referencing personal struggles (which included a divorce from Gisele Bündchen) and distractions that took a toll on his ability to continue. 

"It just took a lot out of me in terms of, you know, my ability to continue to play."

Brady, similarly to Rodgers, lost a playoff game after a tough season that led to a division crown, but no post-season advancement. He noted the differences in their life stages: Brady is a father of three and played until age 45; Rodgers is a few years younger, at 42, and doesn't have children.

"It’s hard to give up football," Brady shared. "It’s something that we’re really good at. It’s something you love to do. You love being out there with your teammates."

Brady noted the camaraderie of the sport, admitting he probably liked practice better than playing games later in his career.

"I felt like I owed it to my teammates and coaches to give 'em everything I have."

The willingness to run the 'marathon'

The season is one thing, but the toll on the body and mind begins in the offseason and never really stops.

"Do you want to make the commitment year-round?" Brady asked. "Because if you don’t, well, then it’s never going to turn out well when the season happens. In order to be a great NFL player, you gotta commit and be fully in. And, that’s the only way your team’s going to have a chance to win, especially when you’re a starting quarterback. And, only Aaron can decide that for himself."

What AI thinks shows a football player completing a marathon.

Brady then hit on the hard work it takes to achieve something significant. The analogy struck a chord with the runner in me.

"Football is like a marathon," Brady emphasized. "Everyone loves to run the first 4 miles of the marathon and everyone loves to run the last 2 miles of the marathon. But, it’s those middle 20 miles that are hard."

Will Rodgers heed Brady’s sage advice? Who knows. But, non-pro athletes probably should listen to the seven-time Super Bowl champ.

Big goals are hard, especially as you age. You have to be willing to put in the work required to achieve them. Otherwise, you might let down the people who care about you—and, arguably more importantly, you’ll let yourself down.