Tom Brady and the Golden Age of NFL Quarterbacks

When we look at the leaders among the quarterbacks of the NFL, we see old like Brady, Drew Brees (42 years old), Aaron Rodgers (37 years old) or young people like Mahomes (25 years old), Josh Allen (24 years old) and Deshaun Watson (25).

Curiously, quarterbacks who should be at the top of their game in their early thirties are somewhat in the background. We think of Russell Wilson (32 years old), Matthew Stafford (33 years old), Kirk Cousins ​​(33 years old) or Ryan Tannehill (32 years old).

Eleven players 38 or older wore an NFL uniform during the 2020 season. Five played at quarterback, including four as starters.

Besides Brady and Brees, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger also led 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.

Anthony Calvillo is well placed to assess the work required to play at the highest level for longer than average.

At 40, he passed the ball for more than 5,000 yards with the Alouettes and it was not until the following season that he was forced into retirement by a concussion.

He particularly appreciates what quarterbacks like Brady and Brees have to achieve.

It takes exceptional mental strength to do what they do year after yearhe said.

Nutrition, training and commitment

Calvillo’s and Brady’s courses have similarities. Both men have made significant changes in their way of life in order to move to another level.

Brady’s personal trainer and business partner, Alex Guerrero, directed him to a strict workout and nutrition regimen.

Brady detailed his diet in a book he published in 2017, The TB12 Method.

About 80% of his diet consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. The other 20% comes from lean meats, fish and seafood.

He doesn’t think it’s particularly restrictive, although not everyone thinks so.

Thus, Brady avoids dairy products, oils, gluten and GMOs. It also stays away from added sugars, trans fats, iodized salt, alcohol and caffeine.

The quarter of the Buccaneers, who said hurt all over at the age of 25, now talks about playing until 45.

For Calvillo, the change came at age 36.

The Alouettes had just lost the Gray Cup game for the fifth time and he wondered what he could do to break through this invisible wall.

I felt good physically, but I remember a picture I had seen where I took 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 thought I was doing enough.

The quarterback, who had been used to preparing alone since his arrival as a professional, decided to call on 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. By removing them from his diet, the Californian-born felt an influx of energy that reinvigorated his career.

If the diet was a turning point, number 13 also increased the pace of his workouts which became shorter, but more intense and more frequent.

The shift was certainly productive, as after 2008 the Alouettes won two Gray Cups and Calvillo played over four more seasons where he passed the ball for over 20,000 yards and became the most productive quarterback in professional football.

This year, Calvillo was edged out by Drew Brees.

Tom Brady is 608 yards behind AC and needs 1,155 yards to edge Brees.

If the trend continues, Brady should add another record to his list next October.

Long live the old people!