I often watch a podcast show called “Stick To Football”, because I love football. It’s hosted by Gary Neville (ex-Manchester United and England captain), who is arguably one of the best right backs ever to play the game. It’s no understatement to say that without Neville at his back, David Beckham might not have been as successful as he was, in no small part because Beckham was always assured of having a rock-like and intelligent defender behind him, and someone who could always be counted on to lay an intelligent pass on to him so that Golden Balls could work his own magic in turn.
Alongside Neville are the dour, waspish midfielder Roy Keane (also ex-Man U, and Ireland) and the brilliant goalscorer Ian Wright (Tottenham and Newcastle United). Between the three of them, they provide excellent coverage for their various guests, themselves all fine former footballers and football managers.
It’s a show, however, that would mostly be lost on Murkins because Murkins prefer to watch and talk about their own brand of “football” and not that boring FIFA rubbish, and mostly their discussions are about events that are well known to Brits and Euros, but in large part unknown Over Here.
Neville & Co. don’t always have footballers as guests, however; Rory McIlroy has been on a couple of times, for example, as has snooker genius Ronnie O’Sullivan. And what has happened is that the show is starting to evolve into a discussion and analysis of sporting greatness rather than just great footballers. And in keeping with the current World Cup show Over Here, they’re interviewing Americans and not just Brits and Euros.
Which is why I have to recommend their latest show to y’all, because their guest is none other than superstar quarterback Tom Brady.
Now as any fule kno, NFL football is not my favorite sport, but as I enjoy most sports, I do know something of the game, and especially shall we say “highlights” of both the game and its players — so Tom Brady is not unknown to me.
What I did not know was how intelligent this guy is, and how much he devoted to making himself inarguably one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game. Seven Superbowl rings (one with a team not the New England Patriots) pretty much speaks for itself, because seven championships in any sport (e.g. Lewis Hamilton’s string in F1) has to be treated with respect for the rarity of such an achievement.
So take an hour and a half out of your busy lives and watch this episode of Stick to Football. I think it’ll be worth your time.
Quote of the show (from Brady): “The standard was perfection; we settled for excellence.”