It’s no surprise to Patriots fans when Tom Brady directs a last second comeback. This isn’t to belittle the joy that’s experienced whenever #12 guides New England to yet another classic game-winner, but it’s something that local fans have grown accustomed to. Apparently, Patriots fans aren’t alone in that assessment. Released earlier on Wednesday, there is proof that the same sentiment is felt across the NFL, as measured by an anonymous survey of players. Tom Brady was voted the most clutch quarterback in the NFL, and it wasn’t close.
ESPN recently surveyed 320 NFL players, and polled them on who they would want as their quarterback in the huddle with two minutes to go, and the Super Bowl on the line. Of that group, a whopping 128 of them said Brady (or 40 percent).
It’s an impressive tally, considering that second-placed Peyton Manning garnered only 86 votes, or 26.9 percent.
The full list of results:
Tom Brady: 40%
Peyton Manning: 26.9%
Aaron Rodgers: 10%
Drew Brees: 6.6%
Ben Roethlisberger: 6.3%
Eli Manning: 2.8%
The great part about anonymous surveys, especially in the case of intensely scrutinized NFL players, is that they don’t simply feel obligated to choose their own quarterback. Clearly, it would be awkward if someone like Wes Welker still chose Brady over Peyton, despite having left the Patriots.
Anonymity, in other words, makes it a truly accurate examination of how NFL players genuinely feel. Great news for Brady, who certainly earned his reputation this season. He directed so many fourth quarter comebacks that it was easy to lose count. Take it away Zo…
Also, there was the Cleveland game (thanks to this epic fan for the video, some NSFW language, but who can blame him?)
Though they couldn’t win the playoff matchup, there was the thrilling 24-0 comeback against Denver (and here’s a Friday Night Lights style recap).
Oh, and in case anyone forgot, there were the two times he literally lived the scenario that ESPN asked about. Super Bowl XXXVI:
And Super Bowl XXXVIII:
Images via Washington Post
