The Backup Quarterback: The Most Liked Guy on the Team

I am still pondering the feat and work and magic that happened on Sunday night in Houston.  New England should not have been able to come back and win after being down a huge 25 points going late into the third quarter.  Everyone loves the backup quarterback.  After all, when the team is down and the quarterback is not getting the job done, the backup looks and feels like the guy who could answer the bell and bring back some mojo and maybe get some points on the scoreboard.  Three points is not enough to win the Super Bowl and neither are 6^th round picks from college supposed to go on and win 5 Super Bowls.  And I am convinced that no one, hardly no one, could name the New England Patriot’s backup QB.  I know that I can’t name him and I consider myself an informed fan.  Yet, Tom Brady, who I like to call Captain America, lead his team to an unbelievable comeback win that is still hard to believe.  What’s ironic is the fact that Brady himself was the backup QB at Michigan in college.  Then, he barely got drafted and some say very late, in the 6^th round as the 199th overall pick.  Many 6^th rounders never make a pro team—never.  Yet, Brady, the underachiever turned overachiever was leading his TEAM to victory Sunday.

Some people say there is no “I” in the word “TEAM.”  I would beg to differ.  In fact without a strong “I” and a strong commitment to “TEAM,” there is no way Brady does what he does on Sunday.  I admire how he kept his head in the game, kept believing, kept pushing even after numerous sacks by Atlanta.  Brady never got down on his fellow TEAMmates.  He kept believing.  There were even times where he seemed to be focusing, meditating, praying, or whatever you want to call it.  There were times he was doing some serious soul-searching and some serious questioning, “Can we do this?”  He was looking in his own heart and challenging his own self and counting his own costs to push himself to a most improbable victory. 

So, who is the New England backup QB?   Just for fun I looked it up and his name is Jimmy Garoppolo.  He is a third year player out of Eastern Illinois.  To be honest I have not heard of him nor did I know that Eastern Illinois had a football team.    I am sure that Jimmy G is not the most liked guy on the team.  That is usually reserved for teams where the starter and backup are close in skill and talent and the one not playing is the one who fans think the backup can reignite or inspire a lackluster team.  What’s really amazing is the fact that Garoppolo has the blessing of watching and seeing one of the greatest QB’s do his work. 

Finally, I want to believe Tom Brady’s will to win is the engine that drives his success. He is determined and so fiercely competitive and has not done too bad for a backup QB in college and a 6^th round draft pick.  He sure knows how to be a positive “I” and positive force for a TEAM that truly believed in itself.