Tom Brady‘s niece, Maya Brady, who plays softball at UCLA, revealed that her uncle is the more “competitive” and “intense” athlete between the two. Even though they share a last name, there are plenty more reasons why she is a fierce competitor.
During an interview with Sean Farnham and Shane Vereen on Pac-12 Radio, Maya called Tom a “father figure” and explained what it’s like being related to the greatest quarterback of all time.
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“I love him and he’s like a father figure to me, so I’m very honored, obviously, that I have this last name and I have the family that I have,” Maya said. “I think it’s just something that I’ve had to kind of grow into and it’s a huge blessing for me.
“It has taught me a lot throughout my life. Dealing with adversity and blocking people out when they have stuff to say, so I think it’s just been a very positive thing for me and I’m very blessed.”
Maya, 20, is in her junior year in college and has plenty of career highlights, including breaking a 24-year-old UCLA record with 11 consecutive base hits in February.
Who is more competitive between Tom Brady and niece Maya?
Vereen, who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots alongside Brady, then asked who the more competitive athlete is between Maya and her uncle.
“Honestly — as you know we’re both very competitive — I hate to admit that he’s probably more competitive than me,” Maya said. “I would honestly have to admit that he’s more competitive than me and intense when he’s under center.”
Maya also added that her uncle “Tommy” is an entirely different person on the field than off the field, hinting that he’s not as “intense” when visiting her.
She is the daughter of Maureen Brady, Tom’ older sister, who was an All-American pitcher at Fresno State.
Maya Brady has more champion’s blood
As if being related to Brady wasn’t enough to make Maya a fierce competitor, she is also the niece of two-time MLB World Series champion Kevin Youkilis.
Tom, however, is obviously Maya’s favorite uncle, listing him as one of her favorite athletes on her UCLA profile.
She has also spoken about how her uncle’s support means the world because it also helps draw interest to the sport of softball.
“His support is obviously very influential for me,” Maya said. “He is a huge factor in my life, so it’s nice to know that he is supporting me. For such a person with such – so many accolades, a male athlete, to support women’s sports is just huge for our game. It’s really cool that he was drawing attention to the World Series in general.”
Tom Brady attends niece’s softball game
Brady attended his niece’s softball game Saturday and shared pictures of the event on his Instagram.
UCLA defeated Arizona State 7-3 as Tom cheered for Maya, who is the current Pac-12 Player of the Week.
Maya commented on her uncle’s post: “I love you uncle Tommy. Thank you for coming!”
While Tom retired from the NFL following the previous season and prepares to start a desk job, Maya has an entire sports career ahead of her.
