Patriots’ Josh Uche remembers unforgettable speech from Tom Brady from his Michigan days
FOXBOROUGH, MA – As Josh Uche walked up to the podium to speak with the media on Wednesday, he had a Michigan hat on, representing his alma mater. And he gave some recognition to a fellow Wolverine who will be visiting Gillette Stadium on Sunday. "Shout out Tom Brady," Uche said. During Uche's freshman season […]
FOXBOROUGH, MA – As Josh Uche walked up to the podium to speak with the media on Wednesday, he had a Michigan hat on, representing his alma mater.
And he gave some recognition to a fellow Wolverine who will be visiting Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
"Shout out Tom Brady," Uche said.
During Uche's freshman season at Michigan in 2016, Brady returned and gave a speech to the football team. And little did Brady know that a future New England Patriot was seated amongst the crowd, hanging on to every word the Super Bowl champion said.
"My freshman year I had the privilege to listen to Tom Brady speak to the team and just one of the most memorable speeches I could have. And it was an honor," Uche said. "The passion that he spoke with and him being in the same seats I was in as a freshman, and him being one of the greatest players that have played this game, I was just honored to come and listen to him and be in the same environment that he came through."
"It showed me that anything was possible," Uche added. "Everybody goes through pain, struggles, wherever you are on the depth chart, playing time, whatever, but if you stay and push through adversity and you learn how to deal with it and no run away, you'll be where you want to be."
Brady's name carries so much weight within the Patriots organization and his contributions will are constantly being brought up.
"Just the way he was a leader. The way he was exemplifying the Patriot Way. His execution, his calmness under pressure," Uche said. "I'm definitely referring to Tom a lot in certain situations. So he's definitely a pillar to what we got going on here. So of course we see a lot of references to him."
And there was one message that is always reiterated when Brady's name is brought up.
"Do your job," Uche said. "At the end of the day it comes down to execution and just being calm under pressure and just doing your job at the end of the day no matter the situation."
The Patriots will honor Brady at halftime in their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Brady retired last season, finishing as a seven-time Super Bowl champion and is regarded as one of the best to ever play the game.
Featured Image via Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
