Ex-Patriots star reveals how he broke longtime rookie curse with Tom Brady

Throughout his two decades in New England, legendary quarterback Tom Brady earned a reputation for many things in his NFL career, one of which proved to be a problem on more than one occasion. It became more of a prominent issue later in his career, as Bill Belichick's refusal to pay for big-name offensive players meant the Patriots relied upon the draft for the next batch of talent for Brady to work with.

That meant he had to work with countless rookies and hope they could perform at the level he needed them to and early on. It didn't often work that way, making Brady earn the label of being a quarterback who wasn't fond of working with rookie players, making some of those who still thrived with him under center all the more shocking.

One of the most notable in recent memory is running back Sony Michel, who was drafted in the first round of the 2018 Draft. It was at the height of the Patriots' second half of their 20-year dynasty, and the need for offensive firepower was at an all-time high. So Michel was expected to live up to the hype and his drafted positioning immediately.

Fortunately, he was able to do that during his rookie season despite Brady's historic resistance to working with rookies, therefore overcoming the 'rookie curse' he walked into.

Musket Fire recently spoke to the now-retired running back about how he accomplished that, and his response provides some insight into how Brady worked behind the scenes, regardless of the narratives out there.

Sony Michel's impressive rookie season put Tom Brady's hesitance to an end

Although he was only in New England for three seasons before Belichick chose to trade him to the Rams in 2021, Michel had one of the most memorable rookie seasons in recent Patriots history, especially in the post season.

He accomplished a lot in 13 games during his rookie year, recording 209 carries for 931 yards and six touchdowns, but his playoff performance is what put his season over the top and it's primarily why the Patriots were able to go back to (and win) the Super Bowl.

Through those three games (including Super Bowl LIII), Michel earned Brady's trust to be the primary playmaker and totaled 71 carries for 336 yards and six touchdowns, proving the quarterback was right to rely on him despite being an inexperienced rookie.

Michel believes his hard work and focus impressed Brady the most, earning his trust early on.

"A lot of people know that it's all about trust when you enter into the the New England Patriots program. And especially dealing with someone like Tom Brady who's, you know, arguably the best quarterback to play this game.

And for me, it was a little intimidating at first. But, you know, just going in there, working every day, putting my head down, and kinda focusing on just the little things. My assignment, you know, catching the ball, making plays, doing my job. I knew if I did those things consistently, I can earn his trust, because I definitely wanted to impact the game as much as he was impacting the game.

So I thought he did a great job, too, with mentoring guys like myself and making me feel a little bit more comfortable because, you know, I look at him as Tom Brady, and he's way up here. And, you know, and he texted my phone and to check-in on me. Okay. Now I feel like, okay, we are peers."

While hearing the details about what went on behind the scenes in Gillette Stadium is fascinating, especially coming from a player like Michel, who was instrumental in the Patriots Super Bowl LIII win, his response further confirms what many have said about Brady in the past; he was just another guy in the locker room and treated everyone equally.

It might not have been easy to earn that trust from him, but Michel lived up to the "Patriot Way" and consistently proved himself on the field, becoming Brady's go-to guy out of the backfield.

Considering the long list of talented running backs Brady worked with during his career, it says a lot about Michel and his work ethic to have seemingly ended the curse so early in his rookie season.

Kingsford is the King of the Tailgate and has been hosting the Kingsford Tailgate College Tour ahead of huge SEC matchups all season long. Sony Michel joined the brand at the Georgia vs. Tennessee tailgate last weekend, where he put his grilling skills to work and served up delicious food to Georgia fans, making sure that regardless of the outcome of the game, fans were going to win the tailgate.

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