POLITASPORTS

The term GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) gets thrown around a lot, usually with prefaces like “arguably,” “one of the,” or “could be the” so as not to seem presumptuous. I’m sure there is a GOAT, or multiple if you divide it by sport; however, what are the pre-requisites? Wins? Stats? Longevity? Ability? Championships? Or some combination of all of them? In the States, we have four main sports; Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey. All are team sports. Tom Brady has won 0 Lombardi trophies on his own, same for Montana, Manning (P), Elway, and Marino. They all on their own, have never won a single game. It is easy when arguing for your preferred GOAT to get caught up in Titles, but in a team sport, titles can only be part of the equation. Golf, Tennis, even Bowling, whoever has the most wins, majors, or trophies is apropos. They won, on their own, directly against their competitor(s). It is hard to argue that Roger Federer isn’t the greatest tennis player of all time. His longevity in a sport that churns through joints like a kitchen aid mixer is incredible. He has the most majors, most major runner-ups, most major final fours, and longest streak as World #1. He has the career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least once) victories on every surface. There really is no need to preface his GOAT status. I’m sure others may put up names like Sampras, Agassi, Nadal, Djokovic, or Laver but placed on the scale opposite Roger, they will inevitably rise. Records are as they say “made to be broken” and one day, perhaps, even Roger’s records will fall. If they all happen to fall to the same person, maybe then his status as Tennis’ GOAT will change. Tiger is attempting to surpass Nicklaus, who in turn surpassed Palmer. Tiger is close, but without at least tying Nicklaus’ majors record, I will not place the G status on him. Team sports is entirely different, the measuring tool is not a stick, but more a rope. Bending and twisting to meet the arguments of whomever is declaring player Z, the GOAT. Most throw out championships, but then Russel would reign supreme in Basketball, so they then add in scoring, but that still doesn’t put MJ at the top so they continue to twist and turn and start adding in “intangibles” to the growing list of necessities of being the GOAT. When determining the greatest in a team game, I believe the most important question should be “did he revolutionize (the game, the position, the era)? If he didn’t accomplish any of these things he should be disqualified, no mater how many titles he may have (Robert Horry).

How did our GOATs change the game, the position, or define their era? I am biased, I love Dan Marino, and to convince me that he wasn’t the single greatest thrower of all time would be like climbing Mt Everest without jackets, pants, gloves, shoes, rope, oxygen, arms, or legs. He transformed the QB position, “pocket mobility” was named after him, slowest QB yet repeatedly the least sacked, even with O-Lines that couldn’t produce more than one 1,000 yard rusher in his entire career, broke every record available, proved teams could be above avg. w/o a running game (unheard of before his time) – dare I say, revolutionary. Yet, his team accomplishments don’t quite add up. Only one conference championship and zero Super Bowl rings. Would Brady have 7 if he played for the Jets? Would he have any? Would he still be playing? Would he have any records at all? These are all hypotheticals, the reality is he did play for the Patriots, he did play on the winningest franchise of the last two decades and he does deserve much credit. But so do the Patriots defense, coaching, and role players. Brady did not inherit a 1-15 franchise like Peyton did. He did not transform them from worst to perennial Super Bowl contenders like Manning did with the Colts. Again, this is not to diminish Brady’s incredible achievements, only to highlight that they are also the Patriots’ achievements as well. Brady’s longevity and consistent winning most certainly puts him in the category, but does it push him over? His 20+ year career should guarantee him most, if not all, major statistical records for a QB, but did he revolutionize the position? Did he change the game? Michael Jordan proved you could win NBA titles without a center, previously un-imaginable. This is why two centers were picked before Jordan and 6 of the top 10 picks that year were “big men.” Even well into the 90’s Big Men were still considered the necessary building blocks to Champions (why Shawn Bradley was selected #2 overall). Jordan changed that perception winning six titles without much, if any, contributions from the C position. Now the game is almost entirely small ball. Just look at the rosters of the most recent Finals winners and losers, GSW, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, the Lakers. All won or placed 2nd without notable contributions from a traditional Center. This is because Jordan revolutionized the game.

It is hard to argue Tom Brady revolutionized how football is played or even the QB position. TB12 may have done enough by being one of only two QBs to win the Super Bowl with different franchises, and the only to win the Super Bowl in both leagues. It is equally difficult to rationalize that Tom did not revolutionize his era. The idea of a QB playing into his mid 40’s while winning championships and not dropping off a cliff athletically? This has never been done. It pains me to say this (see above love for Marino, and more importantly, the Dolphins). Putting GOAT status on the face of the franchise that destroyed the Phins’ hopes year after year for 19 seasons… it hurts. Of the North American team sports Brady may be on the same plateau as the Babe when it comes to Team Sport GOAT status. I can’t think of another name in the remaining 2 “Big Four” sports that has an unassailable GOAT resume.

NHL; Gretzsky? What about Howe, Lemieux? NBA; Jordan? What about Russel, Kareem, Magic, Bird, LeBron, Kobe? This may be the most crowded of all the major pro leagues. When you ask anyone about baseball, from 1 to 100, the Babe is the first name on their lips. If this were a Family Feud question: Name the greatest player in MLB history, what other name would be #1? How about: Name the greatest pro athlete in American history, would the Babe drop any spots? Tom Brady may have reached the pinnacle of NFL status. What other names will you think of when asked: Who is the best NFL player of all time? What other name would be the #1 answer in the “fast money” round? Congrats Tom, you’ve officially become TBG12.