Tom Brady may have a bone to pick with Terry Bradshaw after the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback made his pitch for why he deserves to be called the “greatest of all time.”
Over a decorated 14-year NFL career, Bradshaw threw for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns en route to propelling the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships. His dominant play momentarily earned him the title of “GOAT” - that is, until he was usurped by longtime San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Joe Montana, who matched his number of Super Bowl wins.
Long after both Bradshaw and Montana have retired, Tom Brady has been crowned by many as the greatest of all time. While playing for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last two decades, he amassed seven Super Bowl championships - the most of any player or franchise in league history.
While recently appearing on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ alongside ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ co-host Howie Long, Bradshaw was pressed to provide his two cents on the ongoing GOAT debate.
“Isn't it amazing when you think that you and Tom played the same position, right? I mean, you’re barely even the same species,” Kimmel told Bradshaw. The 76-year-old shook off the playful jab, asserting that despite having a completely different personality than Brady, the pair are both masters of their craft.
“I am definitely proof that you can have a personality - and be funny, and silly and goofy - yet you can go out on the field and perform at a high level and get things done,” he said. “So we both can perform at a high level.
“I always like to say, well he's the GOAT. Well, that's great but back when I played I was the GOAT and then along came [Joe] Montana and Montana was the GOAT, right? I looked at four Super Bowls, no losses 4-0. Then Montana came along four Super Bowls, no losses 4-0.”
Turning his attention to Brady, Bradshaw argued that even though he’s won more Super Bowls, they should both be viewed on the same level playing field. “And then Tom the GOAT comes and he's been in 10 Super Bowls, but he lost three. So seven minus three is four. So four, four, four,” he added while counting the number of championships he, Montana and Brady have. “So that’s how I look at it.”
