We all have seen Tom Brady’s infamous picture from the 2000 NFL Combine—that scrawny, miserable-looking kid out of Michigan in baggy boxer shorts. While Brady would go on to become the greatest quarterback in history, that picture still remained a gloomy dot on his otherwise glorious career.
Tom Brady Admitted the 2000 NFL Combine Wasn’t His Finest Moment
Brady was speaking in an interview with Dan Patrick in 2022, and while discussing his NFL Combine picture, he was seemingly embarrassed. However, the seven-time Super Bowl champion revealed that he now jokes about that picture.
.@TomBrady's infamous NFL combine picture celebrates 20 years this week 🤣 pic.twitter.com/DdXlozxyvR
— ESPN (@espn) February 26, 2020
“A lot of time in the last 23 years to get in a little bit better shape,” Brady said. “I was coming out of college. Oh my God, that probably wasn’t my finest moment, but I always joke about that picture like no one else has a picture like that.”
Brady also mentioned the picture of Peyton Manning being just as awkward as his. But as he said, no one has seen that.
“Where’s Peyton Manning’s picture? He didn’t look great in those gray shorts either, but somehow, never see a picture of that.”
The 47-year-old also joked in April earlier that year that he wanted his NFL Combine video deleted from the X (then Twitter) when Elon Musk was in talks to purchase the company.
“If you buy Twitter, can you delete the Combine photo? @elonmusk,” he wrote
If you buy twitter can you delete the combine photo? @elonmusk
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 14, 2022
However, Brady later admitted it served as a reminder of his achievements and that he was cool with it.
“You know what, I wouldn’t pay anything, but it serves as a great reminder of where I’ve come from, so, at this point, I would say I’m pretty cool with it,” he told Patrick
Brady had an average outing at the NFL Combine, including an embarrassing 5.28s 40-yard dash, and was picked 199th overall by the New England Patriots. But as destiny had, he proved to be the biggest draft steal in history.
Brady’s NFL Combine Performance
- 40-yard dash: 5.28 seconds
- Vertical jump: 24.5 inches
- 20-yard short shuttle: 4.38 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.20s
Brady didn’t compete in the broad jump, bench press, or 60-yard shuttle drills.
Athletically, Brady was far from a desirable prospect. He ran awkwardly and slowly, and it was evident that he wasn’t going to be a mobile quarterback. His only positive was his 6’4″ height, which made him one of the tallest quarterbacks in the class. However, teams focused on his weaknesses in other areas.
A QB named Tim Rattay was the fastest in the 2000 NFL Draft, recording a 4.91 40-yard dash at the Combine. Michael Vick holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash among quarterbacks at 4.33.
How Brady’s 40-Yard Dash Stacks Up
Remember Vince Wilfork? The burly defensive tackle who many grew to love in the pros tested at the combine in 2004. Wilfork ran a 5.21 40-yard dash.
His time makes Brady’s dash look a little awkward. However, fast-forward to the present day, and it is not uncommon to see the big men running sub-5-second 40-yard dashes.
Tristan Wirfs, who spent years blocking for Brady on the Buccaneers’ offensive line, ran a 4.85 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine. He measured at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds.
How Was Brady Viewed As A Prospect?
Here are some of the things scouts and other NFL personnel had to say about Brady prior to his Hall of Fame/Greatest of All Time career.
One scout noted Brady was “Awful. He’s not even on my board. Weak. He’ll make somebody a good husband or a good medical salesman.” Yikes. Another QB coach said, “Backup. Could be a No. 2 in this league for a long time. Has the size but not enough arm.”
A general manager said he liked Brady but wished “he was a better athlete.”
Brady had even noted the things that were said about him and revealed those in an Instagram post from 2017.
“I found my combine shirt from 17 years ago, and it got me thinking. This is what they said about me then….. Poor build, Skinny, Lacks great physical stature and strength, Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush, Lacks a really strong arm, Can’t drive the ball downfield, Does not throw a really tight spiral, System-type player who can get exposed if forced to ad lib, Gets knocked down easily.”
“As [Julian Edelman] always reminds me … ‘You can prove ’em right or you can prove ’em wrong!’ Good luck to all of you this weekend!!
Brady used his NFL Combine criticism to fuel his career. He carried it with him for over 20 successful years as an NFL quarterback, winning six Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Tempa Bay Buccanneers at 43 years of age. When you think about it, you just have to love it.