After an unexpected victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game two weeks ago, Brady has solidified his status as the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) in his respective sport.

With Brady and the Patriots claiming the AFC Championship, they will now head to the Super Bowl for their 11th time, and their 9th with Brady. His list of achievements does not stop; on top of the number of Super Bowls he has been to, he has also won the regular season MVP award three times in a highly competitive era and has helped his team win the Super Bowl five times. In his five Super Bowl victories, Brady was named the MVP of the Super Bowl in four of them.

Even with all of these honors bestowed upon Brady, the attribute that makes him great is his ability to step up under pressure. Most quarterbacks in the situation that Brady was in two weeks ago against the Chiefs may have folded, but Brady was able to step up and lead his team to victory in a single overtime drive, which was highlighted by countless third down conversions. Another example of Brady stepping up in a big situation was in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. After getting down in the game early, the Patriots found themselves down 28-3 in the second half but Brady, being Brady, was able to find a way back in the game. Somehow, Brady was able to get his team on track and lead the Patriots to overtime, where they were able to claim their 5th Lombardi trophy (yes, the Falcons did blow a 25 point lead).

Brady is not without some setbacks in his career, such as his three Super Bowl losses and a season-ending knee injury, but overall, Brady has had a lengthy career. Brady’s longevity is important to his status as the G.O.A.T., as he is seemingly one of the only players to get better with age.

Brady’s mentality is one of a champion. In Brady’s recent documentary on his life inside and outside of football released last season entitled “Tom vs. Time,” Brady showcases the mentality he takes in the preservation of his mind and body. Brady’s shift in using his mental talent on the field over his physical attributes is what has made him an intelligent, timeless icon of the sport.

For a guy like Brady, a guy who was the 199th pick in the NFL Draft, theoretically, it should be easy to root for him, right… wrong! All greatness comes with lots of haters, and Brady knows this fact.

“What do we do about the haters… we love em’,” said Brady in a recent interview with a child reporter at Super Bowl LIII media day.

Whatever happens next Sunday in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams will have no effect whatsoever on his position of the G.O.A.T.; it could only add to his legacy. But now, it is time to open a new conversation. Is Brady the greatest athlete of all time? This question, however, may never be answered.