Tom Brady has always been an intense competitor on the field. It's part of his charm -- the mild-mannered GQ quarterback who takes on the personality of a professional wrestler once he steps between the lines.
"I'm not sure. It's an emotional game and I need to be emotional out there to play at my highest," he said. "I try to rest up all week, and I'm actually pretty mellow most of the time, as you guys know, it's just for those three hours on Sunday that you get to let it rip. Which is when I think you get to be yourself."
Brady said he's able to stay in control even when in "let it rip" mode.
"I kind of always can find a way to bring it back to balance however I need to be," he said. "I don't ever lose track of plays, things I need to do to coordinate our offense, you know when we're on the field. I just think the emotional part is a really important part for me and I think that's always been a part of the way I play. It's a lot of fun what we get to do for a living, certainly to get to this moment and play in this game -- there's nothing better."
Brady will play in his ninth AFC title game on Sunday, a remarkable achievement that speaks to how long he's remained at the top of his sport. His passion for the game has played a major role in that longevity.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Divisional Round game and ranks the remaining quarterbacks still standing. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
