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Brady had absurd work ethic and determination. Obvious things like studying the game, but also stuff like totally changing his diet, reinventing his exercise regimen multiple times.
Some aspects of freak athleticism aren't strength and endurance related - hand/eye coordination, quick decision making, low heart rate under pressure.
He also had a frightening lack of pride when it came to reinventing his game, in game decision making, and so on that let him do things everyone else could but never did.
Don't discount those things, and while Mahomes peak may be more athletic, longevity is its own value.
I completely agree with you regarding his work ethic and lack of pride/ego which I believe is the secret of his longevity, and the reason that he totally deserves each and every one of those Superbowl Rings.
At the same time I can think of multiple QBs off the top of my head who I would rank above him in terms of raw talent and athleticism.
I don't think we're all that far off from eachother.
Is decision making under pressure an athletic skill? He's the best of all time at that. Is over riding your body's sympathetic activation athleticism? He's gotta be one of the best at that. Skilled scuba divers who force their bodies to do things that don't make sense are athletic in my mind.
It's just not speed/strength/the strongest arm in the world.
Separate to that is the longevity. And instead of a Lebron longevity vs. MJ argument, Brady is 100% of Lebron and 90% of MJ.
I would say "no" but can also see where and/or why others might disagree.
Quick feet and a strong arm are one thing, grace under pressure and a readiness to adapt are another
What moves the needle for me on this is the physical aspects of this like low heart rate. Additionally special forces type guys have similar skills sets and response, and are also athletic freaks in other ways, which makes me think some of this is tied together.
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