During the remarkable 20-year era of the New England Patriots, the roster experienced a frequent turnover of talent, with numerous players leaving little trace. Bill Belichick, the mastermind behind the team’s achievements, has faced scrutiny for his difficulties in selecting offensive players in the NFL Draft. One name that may resonate only with the most dedicated Patriots fans is Chad Jackson.
Selected as a second-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, expectations were high for Jackson, who was viewed as a possible key target for Tom Brady. The Patriots even traded up 16 spots to ensure they could draft him. Unfortunately, his time in New England was not as fruitful as anticipated.
Although his stint was short, Jackson had the unique chance to play alongside icons like Tom Brady and Randy Moss. Recently, during a session on Big County Preps, the host asked Jackson to encapsulate Tom Brady in a single word. After a moment of hesitation, clearly reluctant to ruffle feathers, he candidly referred to Brady as “an a hole.”
This blunt remark may catch some off guard, especially given Brady’s status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Jackson elaborated on the duality of opinions regarding Brady; while many revere his achievements, his personality isn’t universally celebrated. He noted how challenging it is to sum up a seven-time Super Bowl champion in one word, admitting that while Brady is certainly among the greats, he can also come across as a “prick” at times—a boldly candid assessment that few former or current teammates have dared to share publicly.
Jackson openly expressed, “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 instances when he felt inclined to confront Brady—especially when throws went awry or during questionable decisions in critical moments. Yet, as Jackson stated, “it is what it is.” Players lower on the depth chart, like Jackson, typically don’t feel empowered to challenge someone revered as the team’s unquestioned leader.
Jackson recognized that Brady’s unyielding pursuit of excellence made it difficult to voice harsh critiques. In the end, despite Brady’s idiosyncrasies, his legacy is marked by his relentless quest for success, underscored by the accolades he earned.
Interestingly, Jackson’s insights on TB12 aren’t unique. Even well-respected teammate Rob Gronkowski, known for his lighthearted nature, initially viewed Brady similarly. Gronkowski admitted he found Brady tough to deal with at first, feeling he was overly critical for pushing him to excel. However, he quickly understood that Brady’s aim was to uplift everyone and inspire them to reach their full potential.
“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 remarked.
Many highly driven individuals can be challenging to work alongside, and Brady epitomizes this with his Type A personality and dominant presence. Yet, it is that very ambition that has allowed him to maintain his dominance in the NFL for over two decades. Winning seven Super Bowls is no minor achievement, and it’s clear that Brady recognized that sustaining greatness requires a continual push—not just for himself but for those around him—to excel. Success, he understood, is rooted in the relentless pursuit of excellence.
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