Tom Brady recently shed light on his viral "meatball sub" comment, explaining that his children were the source of the popular slang. The retired NFL quarterback used the phrase to describe a costly interception thrown by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
"Everyone's got to remember, I've got three kids, OK? So, that should just point you in the right direction," Brady said when asked about the origin of the term, indicating his children's influence on his social media vernacular.
This remark followed another comment that gained traction the previous week, when Brady called a pass by Dak Prescott a "piss missile." He has since apologized for the "piss missile" comment but not for the "meatball sub" analogy, admitting that he himself threw many such passes during his career. Brady estimated that between 25 and 50 of his over 200 career interceptions could be classified as "meatball subs."
Brady also reflected on the coaching he received from Bill Belichick, crediting his former coach for instilling accountability. He noted that Belichick never let him forget his mistakes, a process Brady found painful but ultimately beneficial for his growth.
"He never let me forget when I threw an interception. He never glazed over it. He didn't move on. He let me know about it, created awareness about it and he let me sit in the pain of letting the team down for a day or two before moving on," Brady stated. He believes that such demanding coaching is crucial for athletes to elevate their game.
In addition to his commentary on on-field play and coaching, Brady discussed the importance of field conditions and cleat choice for quarterbacks. He expressed a preference for grass fields over turf due to concerns about player safety and wear and tear on the body. Brady detailed how specific cleats, such as a longer seven-stud design, can provide a stable base for quarterbacks to generate power and torque during their throws, particularly on slicker surfaces.
He also touched upon the role of a head coach, emphasizing that the head coach is ultimately accountable for all decisions made on the field, from offense to defense and special teams.
Brady's insights come from his recent Q&A sessions, where he has been sharing his perspectives on various aspects of the game and his career since retiring from the NFL.