Tom Brady Is Not Michael Jordan: Unchecked

ESPN and Tom Brady announced Man in the Arena a documentary on the NFL quarterback legend for 2021 but it won't have impact of Michael Jordan's The Last Dance.

Tom Brady is not Michael Jordan. People still buy Air Jordan shoes, they aren’t copping TB-12 immunity pills. So, let's just say, the announcement of Brady's new documentary series on ESPN wasn't met with the same enthusiasm as the one for The Last Dance, even factoring in current circumstances.

No. https://t.co/j5cowl6Sr4

— 🦫✨America Is Musty✨🦫 (@DragonflyJonez) May 21, 2020

This isn't me arguing Brady is not the greatest ever by the way, because he is. He’s just not as interesting. And doesn’t have MJ’s mystique. In part because he’s still playing. I think people want to see whether he’s Jordan on the Wizards in Tompa Bay before they watch any nine part documentary.

I have quoted Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech since I saw it painted on our weight room wall at UM in 1995. It’s a constant reminder to ignore the noise, buckle my chinstrap, and battle through whatever comes my way.

Coming 2021 on @espn! pic.twitter.com/nm9SdFYB7D

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 21, 2020

I just can’t imagine reliving his draft status again is going to generate the same kind of conversation that came as a result of remembering the Chicago Bulls run. Brady also doesn’t have a LeBron James, though Patrick Mahomes could be on his way. 

Personally, I’d be more intrigued by a deep look into the Patriots scandals, but in a series produced by the subject like this one is, we’re far more likely to get a rosy picture of those events, not a courtroom sketch. Besides, Brady probably doesn't have the complete and accurate account since he destroyed his phone.

This is the worst we've seen Tom Brady since a courtroom sketch artist was his biggest foe: pic.twitter.com/Imd284Nv5U

— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) January 24, 2016

I’m not actually against a Brady documentary. I’m sure many will be entertained by it, and that’s fine, he is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. Also, we know Bill Belichick has plenty of footage available. 

All I’m saying is, just like Tom vs Time wasn’t Space Jam, Man in the Arena won’t be The Last Dance. And with that title, there’s not a chance.