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It's a combination of several things: (1) the quarterback position is the least demanding athletically on the whole body: Yes, QBs have strong arms but they d

by jasode 4y ago

It's a combination of several things: (1) the quarterback position is the least demanding athletically on the whole body: Yes, QBs have strong arms but they don't need to have whole-body strength and speed like running backs and wide receivers. The players in non-QB positions have a peak of ~5 years and then quickly drop off from wear & tear. The QB position depends more on intellect -- "reading the field" and making quick decisions to get rid of the ball -- rather than running all over the field. Similar reason to why place kickers who just kick field goals can have longer careers than running backs. (2) the particular style Tom Brady plays: he plays in a deliberate "low injury risk" way. He very rarely "scrambles" (runs out of the pocket). Scrambling opens up the quarterback to violent hits from defenders causing season-ending knee and ankle injuries. Famous scramblers that had horrific injuries include Randall Cunningham, Robert Griffin III, etc. Tom Brady got his big chance in the NFL because the QB he replaced (Drew Bledsoe) got injured during a scramble. During a play, Brady stays very aware of the offensive live protection collapsing around him and he instantly tucks the ball and crumples his body. This means he doesn't get body slammed to the ground while his arm is in mid-throwing motion, or get his knees/ankles crushed by defenders. (3) NFL rules that evolved to protect the quarterback more and more: A 1980s quarterback like Dan Marino would get more physically punished by rushing defenders than today's quarterbacks like Tom Brady. The NFL added stricter rules because the quarterbacks are the highest-profile "stars" of the league so having them not playing on tv because of injuries is not in their best interest.

spapas82 4y ago
This is a very thorough and comprehensive answer! Thank you so much!
bko 4y ago
Do drugs or advances in nutrition and training play a significant role? Is NFL strict on blood doping or other medical enhancements that can deny natural aging and muscle atrophy?
- jasode 4y ago
  >Do drugs or advances in nutrition and training play a significant role? It seems like nutrition is a minor factor compared to the intrinsic nature of the QB position itself. In other words, even if non-QB positions like running backs and linebackers adopted Tom Brady's exact diet such as avocados and exotic water, etc, that still wouldn't extend their career into age 45. The brutal physical nature of those non-QB positions depends too much on strength and speed and those attributes decline too much into the 40s. Long before Tom Brady, other QBs like Steve Deberg and Vinny Testaverde played at age 44. As for drugs... if the NFL allowed steroids, it might be possible for physically demanding positions like running backs to play at age 45. But a drug policy change is unrealistic so that's more of a thought experiment rather than a practical way to extend a football career.
YY-EN40P 4y ago
My additional opinion is that his long life as a player is related to his partner. Tom Brady's partner is Gisele Bündchen aka a super model. He and his partner has a common incentive for their health. This is the reason why Tom Brady has less injuries, I believe.
vannevar 4y ago
I think a more interesting question is, why is Tom Brady still playing at a high level at age 45 while other quarterbacks are not? Only #2 addresses that question, #1 and #3 apply to all NFL quarterbacks. Some additional likely factors: - Luck: Regardless of his conservative playing style, Brady has been hit hard many, many times, but never had a career-ending (or career-shortening) injury. - Genetics: Brady may have a genetic predisposition for athletic longevity. - Discipline: Brady may have a superior recovery and self-care regimen. (There are a lot of articles on this topic, eg https://www.healthdigest.com/323870/tom-bradys-intense-routine-that-keeps-him-so-fit/#:~:text=His%20day%20starts%20off%20at,protein%2C%20seeds%2C%20and%20nuts https://www.healthdigest.com/323870/tom-bradys-intense-routi....)
- mrguyorama 4y ago
  You're missing the most important one relevant to Tom Brady: He craves competition. That's why he came back from retirement. He's done this basically all his life, always been lauded for it, and doesn't enjoy the world without it.
- GoldenMonkey 4y ago
  Along with the discipline and self-care. He also has a strict dietary program as well. for example, 80% vegan, 20% organic meat. no nightshades... tomatoes. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3170837/tom-bradys-diet-and-wellness-routine-nfl-athletes-8-rules https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/31708...
codegeek 4y ago
Some great points. One more thing about Brady is that he is what you call a bit of a late bloomer similar to Novak Djokovic (Tennis). They both started winning a lot more after they crossed 30. Brady had 3 Super Bowls at age 30 and then suddenly he won 4 more in span of 6 years beginning age 38.

by jasode 4y ago

spapas82 4y ago

This is a very thorough and comprehensive answer! Thank you so much!

bko 4y ago

Do drugs or advances in nutrition and training play a significant role? Is NFL strict on blood doping or other medical enhancements that can deny natural aging and muscle atrophy?

jasode 4y ago
>Do drugs or advances in nutrition and training play a significant role? It seems like nutrition is a minor factor compared to the intrinsic nature of the QB position itself. In other words, even if non-QB positions like running backs and linebackers adopted Tom Brady's exact diet such as avocados and exotic water, etc, that still wouldn't extend their career into age 45. The brutal physical nature of those non-QB positions depends too much on strength and speed and those attributes decline too much into the 40s. Long before Tom Brady, other QBs like Steve Deberg and Vinny Testaverde played at age 44. As for drugs... if the NFL allowed steroids, it might be possible for physically demanding positions like running backs to play at age 45. But a drug policy change is unrealistic so that's more of a thought experiment rather than a practical way to extend a football career.

YY-EN40P 4y ago

My additional opinion is that his long life as a player is related to his partner. Tom Brady's partner is Gisele Bündchen aka a super model. He and his partner has a common incentive for their health. This is the reason why Tom Brady has less injuries, I believe.

vannevar 4y ago

I think a more interesting question is, why is Tom Brady still playing at a high level at age 45 while other quarterbacks are not? Only #2 addresses that question, #1 and #3 apply to all NFL quarterbacks. Some additional likely factors: - Luck: Regardless of his conservative playing style, Brady has been hit hard many, many times, but never had a career-ending (or career-shortening) injury. - Genetics: Brady may have a genetic predisposition for athletic longevity. - Discipline: Brady may have a superior recovery and self-care regimen. (There are a lot of articles on this topic, eg https://www.healthdigest.com/323870/tom-bradys-intense-routine-that-keeps-him-so-fit/#:~:text=His%20day%20starts%20off%20at,protein%2C%20seeds%2C%20and%20nuts https://www.healthdigest.com/323870/tom-bradys-intense-routi....)

mrguyorama 4y ago
You're missing the most important one relevant to Tom Brady: He craves competition. That's why he came back from retirement. He's done this basically all his life, always been lauded for it, and doesn't enjoy the world without it.
GoldenMonkey 4y ago
Along with the discipline and self-care. He also has a strict dietary program as well. for example, 80% vegan, 20% organic meat. no nightshades... tomatoes. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3170837/tom-bradys-diet-and-wellness-routine-nfl-athletes-8-rules https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/31708...

codegeek 4y ago

Some great points. One more thing about Brady is that he is what you call a bit of a late bloomer similar to Novak Djokovic (Tennis). They both started winning a lot more after they crossed 30. Brady had 3 Super Bowls at age 30 and then suddenly he won 4 more in span of 6 years beginning age 38.