This week, Danny reacted to the announcement of Tom Brady’s new documentary on ESPN:
Too soon, Tom. Too soon.
It was announced last week that Tom Brady and ESPN will be teaming up to produce a nine-part documentary on Brady’s career. I’m assuming the “nine episodes” represents the total number of Super Bowls Brady has played in.
That number could change, however. Because last time I checked, Brady’s career is not over. He’s just no longer with the Patriots.
Months after leaving New England in free agency, “Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers” is still a heartbreaking thing to type. But it’s reality.
So why is Brady choosing to release this documentary right now, while he’s still playing in the NFL and still has a chance to add another ring to his championship legacy? If it all seems somewhat rushed to you, then you’re not alone. I feel the same way.
I assume that the success of the recent 10-part Michael Jordan documentary “The Last Dance” is playing a large role in the timing of the release of Brady’s series, which is being called “Man in the Arena.” The Jordan series set ratings records for ESPN, and I’m sure the network would love to keep that momentum going.
For ESPN, the timing makes sense. For Brady? I’m not so sure.
What happens if Brady wins a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers? That would be quite the achievement. It would certainly give him the one-up on Bill Belichick in the silly “who made more of an impact on the Patriots” debate.
Or imagine this. What if Brady’s Buccaneers beat Belichick’s Patriots in the Super Bowl? That exact scenario is a long shot, but wouldn’t Brady want to have that storyline as part of any documentary he produces that describes his entire football career?
ESPN released a minute-long trailer for “Man in the Arena” last weekend, where Brady describes the series over the sound of dramatic music and clips of his football life.
“Realizing my potential has been what my career’s been all about,” said Brady in the trailer. “Things that I’ve dreamed about have actually come true. Things have happened in my life, as I kind of hoped they would happen. It’s been, I mean, just a complete evolution. You know, how I just kept kind of fighting and clawing to continue to power forward.
“You just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you keep trying to make progress. So when I look at over 20 years, I’m like, ‘Look how far I’ve come.’ But, there’s not one step that I took where I realized, ‘Look how far I’ve come.’
“But those series of steps that I put together, I go, ‘Wow, that’s, man, that’s quite a journey.’”
Brady’s journey isn’t over though, which makes his decision to produce this documentary right now feel rushed. Regardless, when it does air next year, it will still be must-see TV.
But I could’ve waited a few more years to get the entire story.
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