Throughout the impressive two-decade reign of the New England Patriots, the roster saw a revolving door of talent, with many players passing through without leaving a memorable mark. Bill Belichick, the genius behind the team’s success, has faced criticism for his struggles in selecting offensive players during the NFL Draft. One name that might only ring a bell for the most devoted Patriots aficionados is Chad Jackson.
Drafted as a second-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Patriots had high hopes for Jackson. They believed he had the potential to be a significant target for Tom Brady, going as far as trading up 16 spots to secure his selection. Unfortunately, things didn’t unfold as envisioned, and Jackson’s time in New England was limited.
Despite his brief tenure, Jackson had the rare opportunity to share the field with legends like Tom Brady and Randy Moss. Recently, during an appearance on Big County Preps, the host posed a challenging question to Jackson: to describe Tom Brady in just one word. Initially, Jackson hesitated, clearly not wanting to stir the pot. But eventually, he responded frankly, calling Brady “an a hole.”
This stark description might surprise some, given that Brady is often idolized as the greatest quarterback of all time. However, Jackson explained the complexities of perception surrounding Brady. While many admire his accomplishments, it’s also true that not everyone appreciates his personality. Jackson didn’t rush to label Brady with a negative connotation; he acknowledged that defining a seven-time Super Bowl champion with one word is nearly impossible. Yet he admitted that Brady could come off as a “prick” at times—a bold statement that few past or present teammates have dared to voice publicly.
Jackson shared candidly, “I don’t know, man. Some people saw him this way, some people saw him that way, some people know him as the Greatest QB ever lived. I’m not a judgmental person, and I really don’t know how to put him in one word—one of the greatest for sure, but at times he could be an a**hole. Some people knew it, and some people didn’t want to say. But what can you do? It is what it is. Much respect to Tom Brady. You can’t talk about that guy.”
He reflected on how he sometimes felt like calling Brady out—like when his throws missed the mark or when he questioned Brady’s decision-making in tight situations. But as Jackson put it, “it is what it is.” Players lower on the depth chart, like Jackson himself, generally don’t feel they have the liberty to challenge a player revered as the unquestioned leader of the team.
Jackson acknowledged that Brady’s relentless drive for excellence made it hard for him to cast harsh criticism upon him. At the end of the day, despite Brady’s quirks, his legacy is defined by his relentless pursuit of success, and the accolades he garnered prove that the hard work paid off.
Interestingly, Jackson’s perspective on TB12 isn’t isolated. Even his all-star teammate, Rob Gronkowski, who’s known for his jovial persona, shared a similar initial impression of Brady. According to Gronkowski, there were moments when he thought Brady was a jerk for pushing him relentlessly and critiquing even the smallest mistakes. But, as Gronk quickly realized, Brady’s intent was to elevate everyone around him and push them toward achieving excellence.
“He got on my case every single day. He wasn’t afraid to get on your case to elevate your game to the next level,” Gronkowski noted.
Many incredibly talented individuals who strive for perfection can be challenging to work with. Brady embodies that archetype with his Type A personality and Alpha demeanor. But that very drive and ambition is likely what enabled him to dominate the NFL for more than two decades. Winning seven Super Bowls is no small feat, and it’s clear that Brady understood that to maintain greatness, he had to consistently push—not only himself but also those around him—to be better. He knew that success never comes from complacency; it rests upon the relentless pursuit of excellence.
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