Tom Brady knew he'd be great. When he was drafted, he reportedly told Patriots owner Robert Kraft, "I'm the best decision this organization has ever made."
Source: MMQB
He told his high-school coach after getting drafted that if he ever got the chance to start in the NFL, the Patriots would never go back to Drew Bledsoe.
Source: USA Today
And when Brady finally got the starting job, he told his backup it was no sweat. "I'm going to be one of the best at this game," he said.
Source: ESPN
But it wasn't always easy. He hired a psychologist to deal with the stress of being the seventh-string QB when he first got to Michigan.
Source: ESPN
In order to do so, Brady micromanages his life to play at an age when others retire. For instance, he goes to bed at 8:30 to stay fresh.
He has a healthy respect for good competition. Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett said Brady compliments players who sack him.
And former Patriot Dante Stallworth said that Brady would pay practice-squad players who intercepted him.
Brady used "Joker! Rex Ryan, Rex Ryan!" as an audible call as a shot against the Buffalo Bills coach.
There's also a darker side. Former teammate Darrelle Revis described Brady's desire to win as a "sickness."
Brady said nothing relieves his anger like a good F-bomb tirade.
Read more: Tom Brady explains why he loves the F-word
But don't taunt him too much. A college friend said Brady once leveled an opponent during an intramural basketball game because he was trash-talking Tom.
Source: Providence Journal
He doesn't take losing well. He admitted that he had to work on his body language so as not to be too hard on his teammates.
There was speculation that during Deflategate Brady wouldn't take a lesser punishment because it would admit some sort of wrongdoing.
His emails revealed that he called ESPN analyst Mark Brunell a "Patriot hater" for doubting Brady's case in Deflategate.
He's always intense. Don't ask Brady to play a game of catch: He'll drill the ball at you from 5 yards away, according to Brandon LaFell.
Before afternoon games, Brady makes receivers prepare to stare into the sun by catching balls where the sun will be later on.
Former Patriot Dan Koppen said that Brady is the most competitive person he's ever met.
Source: CSNNE
