Tom Brady played for the University of Michigan more than two decades ago, but the longtime NFL great is still a big fan of the Wolverines.
On Monday, Michigan punched its ticket to the CFP championship game with a hard-fought 27-20 Rose Bowl victory over Alabama in overtime, clinching the win by stopping the Crimson Tide at the 3-yard line.
Brady captured the moment, as well as his reaction to it, in a funny video he posted to social media.
A shirtless Brady cackled as Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe tried to plow ahead into the end zone but came up well short, and Michigan’s players flooded the field.
“Let’s go!” Brady exclaimed.
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Prior to the game, Brady sent out a message via the official Michigan alumni account on X, calling for fans to enthusiastically support this year’s team.
“I wanted to give you guys all a shoutout and all the Wolverines supporters out in Los Angeles for the game,” Brady said. “I think we all have an incredibly special feeling about what this team is and what they’re really about.
“I’m proud of everything they’ve accomplished, especially beating the Buckeyes, but I know they’re not done yet. And I remember on New Year’s Day in 2000, we had a huge win against the ‘Bama team down in South Florida, and I know these guys can go out and do it again.
“So be loud out there in the Rose Bowl! Make it feel like they’re playing in Ann Arbor. We got this. Huge win coming.”
“Be loud out there in the Rose Bowl. Make it feel like they’re playing in Ann Arbor. We got this. Huge win coming. Go Blue!” – @TomBrady, ’99 pic.twitter.com/e6V0fZ3llF
— Alumni Association of the University of Michigan (@michiganalumni) January 1, 2024
Brady’s name came up in postgame comments as well on Monday when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated his stance that while Brady is the undisputed greatest quarterback of all-time, the Wolverines’ current quarterback J.J. McCarthy has had the better college career.
“I’ve said it before, but this is, right here, this is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan college football history,” Harbaugh said, as an emotional McCarthy put a hand on his shoulder.
“Got a long way to go to get to where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT, he’s lapped the field when it comes to that, but college career, there’s been nobody at Michigan better than J.J. I know we talk about an amalgamation of quarterbacks. He is that guy.”
McCarthy finished Tuesday’s game 17-for-27 with 221 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed three times for 25 yards.
The top-ranked Wolverines will look to punctuate their season with a win on Monday, January 8, when they take on Washington—which won its semifinal game 37-31 over Texas—in the CFP championship.
Maybe in the interim someone from the program can find a Wolverines shirt for Brady to wear.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.