This archive report was first published on 15 September 2019.
Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback, is known for his dedication to peak performance. According to one of his former teammates, this includes some unconventional pre-game rituals, including shoving towels down the pants of his fellow Patriots.
As the quarterback, Brady's job is to take the ball from between the center's legs. However, this area can be quite sweaty, earning the nickname 'swamp ass.' This can result in a wet, slippery ball, which increases the risk of fumbling.
Brady has spoken about his concerns, saying, "I always tell them I don't want to throw a wet ball on a perfectly sunny day." To address this issue, he devised a way to ensure the center's excretions don't end up on the ball: padding their uniforms with towels and powder that will wick away moisture.
Former Patriots' center Dan Koppen revealed that Brady would put a towel in the center's pants before the game, making sure it was in place. Koppen recalled, "You know, I mean, I’m sure putting your hands back there, I don’t think you want to go into a sweaty vat."
When David Andrews took over as the new center, he was initially taken aback by Brady's ritual. However, he soon adapted and became a part of the team's pre-game routine.
