Tom Brady's Speech Was Interpreted Through Lip Reading, and to No One's Surprise, it's Perfection
I wish I could’ve interpreted this in the moment the way this guy did. But I can’t lip read. In fact, according to the Irish Rose I barely listen to anyone even when they’re talking right to me. (At least I think that’s what she said; I was watching “Rick & Morty” at the time.) It’s especially hard to read the full, pillowy-soft lips of Tom Brady because my mind goes elsewhere whenever he’s forming un-mic’d words. But there is no doubt in my mind this guy has it 100% accurate. This isn’t like some zany “Bad Lip Reading” video where hilarity ensues from all the improv comedy narration. This is real.
If you can’t click the video, here’s the text:
“Hey guys! We gotta pick things up! We gotta be faster! Quicker! More explosive! Everything! We’re too fucking wo- robotic! Alright??? Make a quick post! Let’s be aggressive off the ball! Every sumbitch! C’mon, let’s grind this fucker out!”
Obviously I wish it’d helped more than it did. Apart from a few explosive plays by Julian Edelman and James White, the entire receiving corps seemed to be running with all the intensity of the guy behind the counter of the post office when you’re standing in a long line with Christmas packages and he keeps going out back to talk to the other guy while your lunch hour dwindles away and you’re silently screaming at him with your inner voice inside your own head. But it wasn’t for lack of trying on his part.
This is how leadership looks and acts. In public, you say nothing, no matter how frustrated you are. At the podium, in your contractually obligated radio spots, you shoulder all the responsibility.
In the heat of the moment, you kick as much ass as you need. ALL the ass, if that’s what it takes to get the job done. But you inspire. You motivate. You encourage. You drive your men to perform at as high a level as yourself or die trying.
As sideline admonishments go, this one belongs up there with the best speeches by the best leaders of all time. This was Socrates, condemned to death for “corrupting youth” stoically telling the jury that doomed him, “The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways — I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows.” This was Henry V’s “Band of Brothers” speech at the Battle of Agincourt. It was Washington’s Farewell Address to his troops. Lincoln at Gettysburg. Churchill’s “This is England’s finest hour,” rescuing his country from hopeless and despair. It was MLK’s “Dream” speech and Rocky Balboa’s “If I can change” plea to the Soviets that ended the Cold War, rolled into one emotional plea for his people to do better. To be better. To get the most out of themselves they possibly can.
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Say what you will about Tom Brady. Place whatever amount of the blame for these struggles upon his mighty shoulder pads as you need to in order to feel good about yourself. But it’s moments like this that are a reminder there is no one in human history I’d rather have leading this franchise. Not in 2019, not ever. Because even in the worst of times, he gives them the one thing you cannot fake, manufacture or do without: Leadership. And that is Step One toward figuring out these struggles and overcoming them.
That’s my quarterback.