New England Patriots: Roger Goodell Awards MVP to Tom Brady
In a moment many New England Patriots fans have waited for, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell awarded the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Tom Brady Monday morning.
When Goodell handed Tom Brady the Super Bowl MVP trophy after his New England Patriots claimed another title, TB12 showed grace and rose above. While many fans would have loved for Brady to slight Goodell, or make some snark comment, he showed class. It was all smiles, one both sides.
"“The two gentlemen that we have here have set new bars across the league,” Goodell said in reference to Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick via the Boston Globe. “Five Super Bowl championships and four MVPs for Tom Brady, cementing his legacy as not just a Super Bowl performer but maybe one of the greatest players of all time. And this duo, Coach Belichick, with his success of five Super Bowls cementing his legacy as perhaps the best coach of all time. And it’s a great honor for us and for me personally to have both of these guys here this morning. Tom, come on up. Get your trophy.”More from New England PatriotsFormer Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason GamePatriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even BeginsNew Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKingsEzekiel Elliott Reveals 3 Reasons Why He Signed With Patriots"
Likewise, Brady had nothing but praise for the commissioner which showcased his class and ability to turn the other cheek when it comes to the whole melodrama surrounding Deflategate tan his four-game suspension..
"“It’s an honor to be here and have the commissioner present us with this trophy. It certainly means a lot,” he said. “My kids will be happy to see that trophy. They always ask, ‘Daddy, what about the trophy?’ I get to bring them one home, so it was pretty cool.”"
Brady set records for attempts, completions and yards with 466. He also threw two touchdowns in the Patriots Super Bowl LI win. His 4th MVP is also a record. Brady also added though that running back James White could have been named game MVP adding how White has stepped up and seized his opportunity to produce in the Patriots’ offense.
"“I think James White deserves it,” Brady said via NFL.com. “Would be nice for him. It took a real team effort. I was telling [Belichick] earlier, James White is like my oldest son. He just does everything right and you can never get mad at him because even when doesn’t make the play, he feels worse about it than you do. He’s just the best teammate. He’s an incredible player. He’s been that way since he really assumed that big role when Dion [Lewis] got hurt last year. I’m so proud of him and everything he’s accomplished. I’ve seen him grow from a rookie to working his tail off to becoming a big factor in all these games. It’s just a great performance by him when we needed it the most on the biggest stage, and he really came through for us.”"
The win and MVP came at an emotional time in Brady’s life, as his mother Galynn was able to attend for the first time this season. His mother has been battling cancer for the past 18 months.
"“She’s been through a lot. Way harder than what I went through last night. Way harder than what our team went through last night. My dad’s been there every step of the way. They set such a great example for me,” Brady said."
Next: Super Bowl LI: The Other New England Patriots MVP
Tom Brady will have the chance to get to and win even more Super Bowls and more MVPs. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.