Tom Brady has long been known for being the most demanding of his teammates. This is just one reason why the 44-year-old has managed to achieve phenomenal success in professional football.
Brady's style isn't for everyone, but one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receivers said he understood the quarterback's mindset better after having an important conversation with him in 2020.
Cyril Grayson Jr., who proved to be the unlikely hero at the Buccaneers since his win over the New York Jets this past weekend, revealed he spoke with Brady last year about how tough he is on his teammates. In the midst of a particularly rough practice for the wide receiver, the veteran quarterback called on him to make excuses.
"There was a moment, I put my head down, kind of defeated. And I was like 'Man, he's being too hard on me.' But then, right after that, he came up to me and said 'why am I so hard on you, because you have this talent, and I just want to get it out of you,' Grayson said during a media session on Thursday , I see in you and I want you to see it in yourself. From that moment on, I knew he felt something in me.
Brady has always been able to get the most out of his teammates, and especially his receivers. Grayson is the latest in a long line of pass-catchers who have had the chance to step up and become a key target for the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
The 28-year-old wide receiver was able to do exactly that in Week 17 against the Jets. With the game on the line, he caught a 33-yard touchdown to advance the Buccaneers late in the fourth quarter. The score was only the second of Grayson's career.
If Tampa Bay hopes to win another Super Bowl, Brady may have to work harder this post season. Beneath his two top wide receivers, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, the veteran quarterback will need to get the best out of his other teammates if the Buccaneers hope to become back-to-back champions.