What Are The Similarities Between Brady And Ignatius

A common belief is that the only saint-like feature about Tom Brady was the miracle he performed in Super Bowl LI; however, this is a fallacy. Both Tom Brady, the quarterback for the New England Patriots, and St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus, are remarkably similar. Despite existing in different centuries and engaging in almost polar opposite careers, both of these men have overcome adversity, sculpting their character, and since then have cemented their legacies in history.
It is essential to comment on and readdress the adversity both Brady and Ignatius endured before undergoing their transformational period in the hero’s journey. As a native Californian growing up near the 49er’s

stadium during the Montana and Walsh era, Brady naturally gravitated towards football, attending games with his father almost every Sunday and tossing around the ol’ pigskin as soon as he could walk and talk; unfortunately, the sport did not demonstrate the same affinity for him. Lacking the athleticism and stature of a traditional quarterback, Brady was never deemed “good enough” and constantly overlooked. He spent the majority of his high school and collegiate career competing for a starting position and was passed over multiple times by various teams in the 2000 NFL draft before being selected in the 6th round with the 199th pick by the New England Patriots. This constant disapproval served as motivation, one that fostered his hyper-focused, competitive nature. His desire to prove those who doubted him wrong is to what many players and coaches attribute his success: they believe “Tom Brady has kept a chip on his shoulder over the course of his career” (Reiss, 1).
Ignatius’s early life paralleled that of Tom Brady’s as his path to sainthood was a result of his unfortunate childhood. After the death of his mother, Ignatius was forced to serve as a page from an early age for Juan Velazquez - the treasurer of the Kingdom of Castile. This job proved to be the bane of his innocence: growing up around such an abundance of wealth and corruption clouded Ignatius’s judgment and steered him down a path of sin and violence. His eventual quest for fame and prosperity lead to his enlistment in the Spanish army where he suffered a life threatening injury and was subsequently hospitalized. While on bed rest, Ignatius was forced to reflect on his past and underwent a spiritual transformation, realizing his old desires only left him agitated and restless. Months later, he emerged from the hospital a new man, one willing to forgo all materialistic possessions in the name of God. He, like Brady, utilized his previous misfortune to propel himself forward in life and improve upon his character. Only by making these mistakes, was he able to conclude that true bliss and satisfaction come from within and can only be obtained through Christ and aiding the underprivileged. In the ladder part of their lives, both men demonstrated unique qualities that further elevated their reputations.
One unique attribute both Brady and Ignatius share is their attention to discipline.

While many sportscasters identify Brady’s longevity and sustained athletic dominance in the NFL as an enigma, it has been proven that it stems from his strict dietary habits which he abides by almost religiously. Unlike most athletes or human beings for that matter, Brady refuses to consume the majority of staple foods and condiments in America such as all dairy products, tomatoes, salt, and more. He believes that through his regimented diet, he will avoid any internal inflammation and help his body absorb maximum nutrients, subsequently improving his performance on Sundays. Brady’s ability to remain disciplined and refuse a vast majority of delicacies is a testament to his competitive drive and dedication. It is through this self-control that he has been able to compete at an elite-level and win a Super Bowl title at the age of

39.
If Brady’s diet sounded extreme and unnatural, then Ignatius’s experience in the cave of Manresa will seem mythic. During this immersion, Ignatius isolated himself inside the cave for an entire year in order to eliminate all distraction and further focus on prayer. Through this exercise, he rediscovered his spirituality and uncovered the true benefits of both consolation and desolation. This realization would eventually lead to his authoring of the Spiritual Exercises, a book and spiritual guideline widely followed by today’s Jesuits. Ignatius’s willingness to sacrifice human interaction, warmth, and sleep speaks volumes to his disciplined disposition and patient nature. Like Brady, Ignatius sacrificed comfort to achieve success in the long run, a quality commonly seen in natural leaders.
As one might infer from the aforementioned, Ignatius and Brady naturally assumed and excelled in positions of leadership and authority.

Brady’s qualifications for Captain of the New England Patriots extended far beyond his position, quarterback, and talent; it was his ability to rally the team around him and execute well under pressure consistently. Non-ironically, both of these traits are derived from his countless hours of work. Despite his informal title as the “greatest quarterback of all time”, Brady still practices as though he is back in college vying for the starting position: he is always the first to practice and the last to leave. This work-centric mentality demonstrates his commitment to the organization and teammates, thus gaining their loyalty and support. This same level of selfless leadership was also witnessed in

Ignatius.
The election for the Superior General of the Society of Jesus in and of itself encapsulated Ignatius’s inclination to lead. During this election, Ignatius and few of his friends who helped found the society voted on who they thought was most suited for this position. Ignatius voted for someone else as he was too modest and preferred to be more involved with the hands-on missions. To his astonishment, he won. Rather than attempting to convince his brothers otherwise, he accepted their nomination. His decision demonstrated his capacity to lead. Not only did his peers respect his authority, but he was willing to forgo his dream of being involved in missions for the greater good of the society.
Although time and occupation separate these two individuals, Tom Brady and St. Ignatius could not be more alike as it pertains to their character and qualities. Throughout their lives, they have overcome personal hardships and exhibited exemplary discipline and management. For these reasons, both men have embedded themselves in history and will never be forgotten.