Emmitt Smith Calls Tom Brady the GOAT and Gives Him the Perfect Advice
NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith took to Instagram recently to extend some advice to the newest Buccaneer, Tom Brady. Smith offered a heartfelt message to the living legend, encouraging him to embrace his new teammates and instill as much winning knowledge on them as Brady can. He finished the post by calling Brady the “GOAT” and said he would see Brady soon in the Hall of Fame. Brady left New England last week to start his new chapter with the Buccaneers after 20 exceptional years with the Patriots.
Emmitt Smith knows something about changing NFL teams
Emmitt Smith is a perfect mentor for Tom Brady as he goes through his transition to Tampa Bay. The longtime Dallas Cowboy knows a little something about joining a new team late in his career. Smith played his final two NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals after spending 13 years in Dallas.
Smith’s late-career move was similar to the one Brady is experiencing now. As a Cowboy, Smith cemented himself as the best running back in franchise history and one of the greatest of all-time at the position. He rushed for over 17,000 yards and 153 rushing touchdowns in Dallas, both franchise records.
Brady had the same impact on the Patriots in his lengthy career. He threw for over 74,000 yards and 541 touchdowns in New England, also franchise records by a wide margin.
Brady will hope to have more success with the Buccaneers than Smith had with the Cardinals. Smith rushed for just 1,193 and 11 touchdowns in two seasons with Arizona. His yards per attempt dropped from 4.2 with the Cowboys to 3.3 with the Cardinals.
Tom Brady has high expectations to live up to in Tampa Bay
Like Emmitt Smith, Tom Brady will have massively high expectations from his new team’s fan base. Brady won six Super Bowls for the Patriots in nine appearances. He made the Pro Bowl 14 times and won the NFL MVP award three times.
The Buccaneers have had the complete opposite of the success the Patriots have enjoyed for the past 20 years. Tampa Bay hasn’t had a winning season since 2010 and last made the playoffs in 2007. The Bucs have one Super Bowl to Brady’s six.
Buccaneer fans will undoubtedly have Super Bowl expectations in year 1 with Brady. He led New England to the conference championship game in eight of the last nine years, so Brady will expect nothing less as well.
Tom Brady should take Emmitt Smith’s wise advice
Emmitt Smith and Tom Brady were only in the NFL together for five seasons, but it seems they’ve grown close since then. Smith’s personal message to Brady seemed like a heartfelt text to a good friend.
He encouraged Brady to bring his competitive spirit to his new locker room and show the young players what it takes to be a champion. Brady is entering a different culture that isn’t used to the success he endured in New England. Smith believes it’s on him to change that Tampa Bay culture for the better. Bruce Arians, Brady’s new head coach, is thinking the same way.
“He is a proven winner who will provide the leadership, accountability and work ethic necessary to lead us to our goal of winning another championship,” Arians said.
Smith finished the message by calling Brady the greatest of all time. With so much debate around the NFL “GOAT,” one of the greatest running backs of all time casts his vote.
