Tom Brady is universally recognized as the NFL GOAT. Brady reached 10 Super Bowls, winning seven of them (the most for an individual player in NFL history). Brady holds many all-time QB records, most notably most passing yards (89,214) and most passing TDs (649). He also holds the record for the most Super Bowl MVPs (5).
While Brady’s historic NFL career was nearly perfect, he fell short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on occasion. Greatness seemed attainable for Brady every single day, so one would think his Super Bowl losses to the New York Giants (2007 and 2011) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2017) would haunt his dreams more than anything, but we’d all be wrong.
One of Brady’s greatest adversaries, Peyton Manning, took to Instagram this week to announce an upcoming reunion for his former teammates, the 2006 Indianapolis Colts.
Brady and the Patriots lost to this Colts team in the 2006 AFC Championship. The Patriots famously blew a 21-3 lead, losing 38-34 to the Colts. This prompted Brady to respond to Manning’s post, revealing that this 2006 Colts still keeps him from getting his eight hours:
“That group still gives me nightmares!” Brady wrote.
The 2006 Colts, winners of Super Bowl 41, will reunite on Feb. 24 in Indianapolis to be honored at the “Night of Champions” event. That Colts team featured future Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison and Dwight Freeney as well as Pro Bowl WR Reggie Wayne and Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders. They went on to defeat the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl 41.
Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Yes, Brady experienced the highest of highs during his playing career. And he continues to strive for greatness in his post-playing, broadcasting career. But, even Brady, the GOAT, dwells on the excruciating details of defeat from his nearly perfect past.
