When you look at the leaders among the NFL quarterbacks, you see old guys like Brady, Drew Brees (42), Aaron Rodgers (37) or youngsters like Mahomes (25), Josh Allen (24) and Deshaun Watson (25).
Oddly enough, the quarterbacks who should be at their peak in their early 30s are a bit of a backdrop. We think of Russell Wilson (32), Matthew Stafford (33), Kirk Cousins (33) or Ryan Tannehill (32).
Eleven players aged 38 or older wore an NFL uniform in the 2020 season. Five played in the quarterback position, including four as starters.
Besides Brady and Brees, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger also carried out attacks after their 38th birthday.
Brady has already announced his return and Rivers, his retirement. Brees and Roethlisberger are expected to announce their plans shortly.
The 10 oldest players in the NFL in 2020:
- Tom Brady: 43, quarterback, Buccaneers
- Drew Brees : 42 ans, quart, Saints
- Louis-Philippe Ladouceur: 39 years old, specialist in long discounts, Cowboys
- Matt Schaub: 39, reserve quarterback, Falcons
- Don Muhlbach: 39 years old, specialist in long discounts, Lions
- Andrew Whitworth: 39, tackle, Rams
- Philip Rivers : 38 ans, quart, Colts
- Ben Roethlisberger : 38 ans, quart, Steelers
- Andy Lee: 38, kicker, Cardinals
- Sam Koch: 38, kicker, Ravens
Anthony Calvillo is in a good position to assess the hard work it takes to play at the highest level longer than average.
At 40, he passed the ball for over 5,000 yards with the Alouettes and it wasn’t until the following season that he was forced to retire by a concussion.
He particularly appreciates what quarterbacks like Brady or Brees have to achieve.
It takes exceptional mental toughness to do what they do year after year
, he said.
Nutrition, training and engagement
Calvillo and Brady’s journeys have similarities. The two men have made significant changes to their way of life in order to take it to another level.
Brady’s personal trainer and business partner Alex Guerrero directed him to a strict training and nutrition regimen.
Brady detailed his diet in a book he published in 2017, The TB12 Method.
About 80% of its diet is made up of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. The other 20% comes from lean meats, fish and seafood.
He does not think it is particularly restrictive, although that is not everyone’s opinion.
Thus, Brady avoids dairy products, oils, gluten and GMOs. It also stays away from added sugars, trans fats, iodized salt, alcohol and caffeine.
The Buccaneers quarterback, who said hurt everywhere
at the age of 25, now talks about playing until 45.
For Calvillo, the change came at age 36.
The Alouettes had just lost in the Gray Cup game for the fifth time and he wondered what he could do to break through that invisible wall.
I felt good physically, but I remember a photo I saw where I was taking off my sweater. I could see my belly. I told myself that if I wanted to be my best, I had to do something. Yet until then, I believed I was doing enough.
The quarterback, who had been used to preparing on his own since joining the pros, decided to bring in training and nutrition specialists. He also called in a sports psychologist.
Physical tests of all kinds revealed that Calvillo had intolerances or sensitivities to gluten, sugar and dairy products. By removing them from his diet, the native Californian felt an influx of energy that gave his career a new lease of life.
If the diet was a turning point, the number 13 has also increased the pace of his workouts which have become shorter, but more intense and more frequent.
The turn was certainly productive, as after 2008 the Alouettes won two Gray Cups and Calvillo played over four additional seasons where he passed the ball for over 20,000 yards and become the most productive quarterback in professional football.
This year, Calvillo was beaten by Drew Brees.
Tom Brady is 608 yards behind AC and needs 1,155 yards to get past Brees.
If the trend continues, Brady is expected to add another record to his chart as of next October.
Long live the old people!
