Drew Bledsoe: Better With Age | E:60 | ESPN Throwback

An unfiltered interview with former No. 1 draft pick Drew Bledsoe, on living in the shadow of the Tom Brady dynasty, the tackle that nearly cost him his life, and how he's found peace as a successful winemaker.

[@joeyd3781]

Tom Brady is proof that hard work pays off. Drew Bledsoe is proof that life is unfair.

[@EastieRick]

L😆L unfair really did you put this together cause you thought it sounded good. And the people who thumbs up this, what a bunch of entitled pansies.

[@rodneysparks6442]

Bump

[@dp233332]

Michael Felger asked Pete Carol about Drew Bledsoes work ethic and Pete told him that "Drew did everything we asked him to do and nothing more." The manner in which things played out seems unfair from his POV but he lost his job because Brady was a better QB...Drew didnt go the extra mile, and on the field his game had a ton of flaws and shortcomings that needed to be improved...He was never as great as he and the media thought he was and the media spent his entire Pats career blaming everyone around him-his line his receivers his RBs and his coaches-for anything he did wrong and failed to do...He had a huge ego and sense of entitlement despite never having produced a single great playoff performance that remotely warranted it.He didnt carry the Pats to SB31-they caried him-and Bledsoes stats during the 1996 Pats playoff wins against the Steelers and Jags make that undeniably clear... look up his stats in those playoff wins to see for yourself... At least 1/3 if not half of the fanbase had been hoping to see the Pats move on from him for several yrs by the time Brady replaced him...TBH if not for guys in the local media like Ron Borges brainwashing the public inot believing Bledsoe was a surefire future 1st ballot HOFer who was perpetually being held back by the shortcomings of his supporting cast Bledsoe might have felt a need to work harder on improving his weakneses and wouldnt have been shocked to lose his job, and Brady wouldnt have been labelled a system QB nor a dink and dunker, because guys like Borges by supporting Bledsoe so rabidly and erroneously had tied their fortunes/status as experts onto the fortunes of Bledsoe...He needed to be the better QB for them to not look like absolute fools, so instead of getting credit for being way ahead of the curve Brady was being discredited while winning 3SBs in his 1st 4 yrs by the local for not producing the gaudy stats and not spearheading the recklessly aggressive passing schemes/styles/tendencies that other more mistake prone QBs like Warner or Manning who both played in domes under more aggressive schems/OCs and were surrounded with multiple HOFers at several positions, were being praised for...

[@ericradford2142]

At least he did a great job of leading the Patriots to a win over the Steelers in the AFC Championship when Brady was injured.

[@dp233332]

@@ericradford2142 he did a great job on his 1st series and merely a sufficient job overall...he completed less than half his passes at pittsburgh and almost made a very boneheaded turnover while taking a sack that could have cost them the game

[@TheFreelanceTeacher]

Bledsoe showing a lot of character here. A great lesson for all young people.

[@caccavosmurr]

I am a 51-year-old Patriot fan. Having grown up in New England I can't describe how insignificant the Patriots were. I am eternally grateful that Bledsoe played for the Patriots. He laid the groundwork for the Patriots 20-year run.

[@Rasdawg915]

Bledsoe is THE definition of a class act.

[@terrytoland2543]

Nice piece, but I wish it focused a bit more on his time with the Pats in the 1990s. He was so much more than “the guy Tom Brady replaced.” So many gutsy clutch performances. When I think of his legacy, I think about moments like the back to back wins against Miami and Buffalo in 1998 with a busted pointer finger on his throwing hand. Just amazing toughness and grit. A class act. Love ya Drew!!

[@BigBlack81]

There's a reason why there was so much angst about Tom replacing Drew from the fans who KNEW what Drew meant to the Pats of the 90s. He WAS the Patriot Way long before it became a thing, just by the dignity and respect he brought to the franchise. Drew is always number 1 for me, only because the team was so unlucky in 1996.

[@eduardonava6284]

No kidding, they coulda covered @ least 10-15 min talking about his 97 season Super Bowl

[@SnoopyReads]

I had no idea the Pats were only 5-4 under Brady when Bledsoe was cleared to play. Kinda insane he wasn't given the job back

[@wedge233]

other than grogan the toughest qb ever

[@BigBlack81]

@@wedge233 Grogan was so unlucky as well. Underrated and tough.

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

There are still a lot of people around Boston who wear Bledsoe throwbacks. They probably get a little extra respect from the hardcore fans who remember the journey before the dynasty.

[@GMCvideos2012]

I never had a brady jersey. But I was sooooo proud of my Bledsoe jersey in the 8th grade

[@benmarino1913]

Man, I can say the same! I had his #11 Jersey during my 8th grade year (95-96). Wore #11 during high school football because of him. He was The Man.

[@Jackfargo91]

I definitely had a Bledsoe jersey in 8th grade lol Christmas 95

[@threetwoonego2372]

I was 6 years old when Bledsoe was drafted and I have been a Patriots fan ever since. I always had a different perspective of Bledsoe because he was an actual hero to me. Pictures of me as a kid with all his posters and anything else Bledsoe related would verify. I had a bus driver who knew him and said he was the nicest dude he’d ever met and that just justified it all to me. Bledsoe was a stoic leader and I will never be able to fully explain how grateful I am for him as a player, he led me down a life time love of a sport. Absolute legend.

[@a1c2v7]

You must be my long lost twin or something lol. I was legit the same. my parents still have a video of me in third grade presenting a project on my hero, Drew Bledsoe. He was a beast

[@ethanschulz1579]

If they didn't have him in 01, they don't get to Super Bowl 36. His play was outstanding for a guy who didn't have much playing time that year.

[@Mangold2865]

If your aunt had 🏀 ⚽️ she’d be your uncle

[@ryanconnolly8939]

Tom Brady brought Super Bowl Championships to New England. Drew Bledsoe was the reason that everyone was watching and cared about the Patriots before the Championships happened.

[@Dcat75thunder]

Drew was a total pro and was so important in that season.

[@willclagett1700]

Bledsoe had one of the sweetest strokes this league has ever seen. Throws an absolutely gorgeous ball.

[@ChristopherMosley-dj3kt]

Absofrigginlutely 💯

[@MikeBNumba6]

strokes?

[@ethanniedorowski116]

Watch the dime to Patton an you will see Man he was so fu king good

[@dp233332]

He didn't have great passing mechanics he had a cannon for an arm but he wasnt consistently accurate or sound with it. Great passing mechanics begin with the feet and Bledsoes footwork was never remotely great.

[@rmp4rmp4]

Mad respect to bledsoe for handling this with class after a 10yr deal to have to deal with that and what happened for the next 20yrs shows how much character he has

[@RECKENDORF]

Drew was so under-rated. One of the best gunslingers ever.

[@jessekauffman3336]

I completely agree

[@arthurvaldepena4514]

The younger generation don't know who he is

[@Jackfargo91]

Man other than Steve Young Bledsoe is my all time favorite quarterback, screw Brady lol

[@uc95nu51]

Why is everyone always under rated?

[@tocsradio2k24]

@@uc95nu51Right Bledsoe is a made man

[@EvanderKolthoff]

triot fan. Having grown up in New England I can't describe how insignificant the Patriots were. I am eternally grateful that Bledsoe played for the Patriots. He laid the groundwork for the Patriots 20-year run.

[@Youve_GotABeard]

We love you, Drew! I was 15/16 in 1993. To see my favorite football team the Patriots become competitive after being so bad for so long and finally start winning some games and even go to the Super Bowl in 96 was unforgettable! Thank you! ❤️

[@briandenapoli3250]

Top class man should be in the hall of fame great guy thanks for being the FIRST guy to turn the franchise around

[@markgolden6265]

As a Bills fan, the Bills were out of their minds. JP Losman for Drew Bledsoe ridiculous. Who did Ralph Wilson listen to?

[@armsquad]

Wow, just wow, I'm a New York Jets fan and nothing but respect for Drew Bledsoe he could have really been a D*CK and literally tore the team apart but he was a true gentleman and professional not many people would of handled it the way he did and also considering he was a top tier all pro NFL quarterback. My hat off to you, Drew, a true MANS man. God bless 🙌

[@brucegirouard6025]

I became a patriot season ticket holder the week after we drafted drew. Thank you sir

[@georgegreen1191]

All things considered, Drew still came out on top, same Wife, a Winery and any bitterness from past events or poor judgement from others are gone... I'm glad he went to Dallas, a wiining organization to finish his NFL years.....gg, Tampa Florida

[@mitchlancaster566]

Great to see and hear Jeremy

[@mitchrichards1532]

Lifelong Pats fan, Bledsoe is on my Mount Rushmore of Pats players.

[@teamleader2010]

One of my favorite players of all time.

[@adamdavis2760]

You can say what you want but if you look close enough that culture and foundation were built with Bledsoe's bricks. He is the one who turned that franchise around. He also is the one who stepped in during that AFC championship game and swung the momentum. That was a huge moment that could have derailed the 2001 run

[@deejaysyn420]

Well Said

[@oscarlaz]

What a class act gentleman!❤

[@hattorihongzo]

Anyone who wants to know what true professionalism looks like, watch how Drew Bledsoe handled this situation. Especially younger kids who've yet to know what betrayal in a professional work setting feels like. It's incredibly hard to do the right thing and not let bitterness affect how you behave. Drew Bledsoe is a true class act.

[@GazTheKitman]

What a classy guy Drew Bledsoe is... Absolute class.

[@jessekauffman3336]

Bledsoe should be in the hall of fame

[@techinallday8926]

Love this guy. He really did put the Patriots on the map. Every once in a while I would wonder what became of Drew. It was good to see what he went on to accomplish after football.

[@KevinBruceRoy316]

My hero still to this day! Fact is Without Drew the patriots would not be here today.

[@thomastakesportspodcast]

As a kid growing up in Buffalo, he was a hero to me and to a lot of other kids. Class act and loved watching him on my Bills!

[@stephencook9357]

That tuddie at Pitt in the AFC championship is still my favorite moment all time as a Pats/football fan!! Drew is the man! Helped launch a dynasty that most likely wont be replicated.

[@RelishedHawk12]

Such a professional at every thing he does

[@garrettking7089]

Great qb with great arm one of the most humble person ever!

[@user-cd9tw3qk2u]

1 of my favourite qbs all time

[@SnoDawg]

He’s a man outstanding in his field!

[@nyjetsdan1675]

I'm a Jets fan and I was jealous of how Drew changed that organization

[@francishelm3875]

As a teenager that tore me up when he got hurt. He was my tom Brady before Brady.

[@seankennedy18]

If not for this ridiculous career defining narrative, Drew would be in the hall of fame period. When he retired from football at an extremely young age only five men in HISTORY had thrown for more yards than him... He had numbers that were better than so many hall of fame quarterbacks it's ridiculous.. He also covers the other HOF criteria of bringing up a team from garbage to a Super Bowl contethere almost every year. That team's offensive line in 2001 didn't gel until 10 games into the season, and I will ALWAYS wonder what Drew's career would have been like. Had he been behind that offensive line for 3 or four years, I believe (and can't be convinced otherwise), that New England STILL has that first dynasty, with a quarterback that had a howitzer.. Drew deserved better. Now with todays rules his #'s will get blown away, but had Drew played post 2007 "Ty Law Rule" football, he'd of thrown for 70k yds easy if not more.

[@PG-1114]

The ending was pure comedy 😂

[@TrevorD2502]

A terrific documentary thanks 🇺🇸❤🇭🇲

[@meherenow793]

Drew Bledsoe > ****asterisk**** every day; winning matters, but *how* you win matters more.

[@toochangz]

People forget, but Kordell Stewart and that Steeler team was on an epic run. Drew went in and save the season and the dynasty

[@FermiFred]

Drew and I hang out together at Tupelo in Whitefish. Great guy.

[@tothetop-omaid]

Genuinely enjoyed this one

[@davidebandy1]

He seems to be a classy guy. Before watching this I was not a Drew Bledsoe fan. Now I have respect for him as a man and a teammate.

[@akmc3313]

I remember watching that game as a kid 11 was one my favorite qbs then. That one hit changed so many things.

[@gordonshumway5933]

The only negative was where Drew was traded, I’m a 49ers fan and I loved Garcia but Bledsoe would’ve been interesting in San Francisco. Miami or Tampa Bay would’ve been interesting, Jacksonville, Denver, Pittsburgh, but mostly a return home and playing with the Seahawks. I absolutely could see him winning a Super Bowl for Seattle to finish his story. That’s really the only issue, where he ultimately was traded.

[@shazmagoon]

Seahawks fan here, much respect on this, We could have had a legit shot at a Superbowl with Drew at the helm

[@offthegrid5078]

Drew has been a class act as a pro. He could have destroyed the locker room, but as a true professional with good character he helped bring it together. He was one of my all time favorite quarterbacks. From his days at Washington State under Mike Price to Dallas Cowboys .

[@hammerham4378]

Total class act.

[@ninomigliaccio7463]

Still my favorite quarterback. I'll never forget game vs steelers to go to superbowl

[@bomimo230]

Hi Mike - love this video! Your ability to speak to financial results sets you apart from many of your peers and I really appreciate it, especially in the current economic climate - just hoping inflation decreases enough in the latter half of the year to prompt the Fed to lower interest rates. Also hoping that means that a new bike for you is feasible before year end. Good luck with your house as well!!!

[@SuperMt24]

Drew is a legend

[@NP-io4ol]

Grew up in New England. I remember the infamous 96 Super bowl run. Drew Bledsoe holds a special place in my heart

[@kylec.8350]

They couldn't compete with the Patriots

[@DanielOConnor-ch1jz]

Legend !! Love Drew

[@cookinginvein]

Drew was 7th in total passing yard. If he played in current era with super star WR, he would be top 5 when retired. He had Ben Coates. Brett Farves, Elway, Young, Jim Kelley, etc all had top WRs.

[@aVerveQuest]

After Irving Fryar and Kenneth Sims and Tony Eason, getting Drew Bledsoe and making the right pick was so huge for the New England Patriots fan base.

[@whowantsit9820]

Great show and great story!

[@jerryclardy3163]

This is not a story about football. It is a story about staying humble, and when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade (or wine).

[@wedge233]

Anybody remember the mosh pit in allston. He was the best quarterback ever with parcells, he changed when pete came in for 3 years. sacks, mental blocks, he would have been hall of fame if he did his entire career with parcells

[@50caliber29]

Cool guy. Could have wallowed in bitterness but rose above it, dudes got character 👍 🏈

[@camiloalarcon4924]

I think im life you won Drew!! FAM BEFORE FAME!!!

[@waltereaton4420]

Revisionist history. I loved Bledsoe and agree that he was the main reason the previously inept Pats became relevant. I'm glad Drew became successful in his winery pursuit, he's worthy.

[@Lpm920]

My Dad was a garbage man. He found a Patriots t-shirt….. I used to wear it and everyone thought I was a Patriots fan. So I became a fan…. Been a fan since Bledsoe! In Chicago!

[@PG-1114]

Champion on and off the field

[@buckminsterfullerene2149]

Jeremy Schaap getting lower and lower in that chair as the wine flows

[@jonbot9830]

How crazy is it that his winemaker's name is Josh McDaniels?!

[@zitofan4life]

Haha no doubt.

[@kushmob4208]

McDaniels Killer

[@rodneysparks6442]

Hilarious

[@aVerveQuest]

Drew saying the wine says he has life balance, works hard and have fun too..... Is honest with integrity, ... All that seems very true, but those words seem to be very telling and how he feels about that decision to this day

[@williamk.morgan594]

I'll never forget or forgive B.B for the way he threw D.B under the bus after he got injured. Tom was obviously an outstanding second option but should have never gotten the QB1 spot that year. There is no reason to think the Pats dynasty would have suffered at all had they given Drew the respect he'd earned.

[@mattjohnson8090]

Get over it

[@RhodaFloyd]

She’s so right: It’s easy when you meet the right person!!!!

[@anichols752]

Probably should be in the hall of fame

[@lamontebenberry498]

What people today forget is how bad the patriots were when Drew Bledsoe was drafted, I Kno Tom Brady is the GOAT but all the credit should go to Drew because he was the foundation for the eventual dynasty and for him (drew) to be able to joke about it now shows he's moved on and not at all envious of Tom Brady. This was a great E60 episode.

[@aVerveQuest]

As much as bill is looked at as a bad guy he couldn't have been more honest and heart-wrenching the open as he was in that press conference. Deep down i think he was heartbroken for Drew as well

[@jffroezze7324]

I think Drew could've won those 6 super bowls as well

[@timothymiller5284]

My favorite! 🥹

[@brentweir4651]

I'll always love Drew Bledsoe. Him, Bob Kraft, and yes, Bill Parcells did nearly as much for the franchise as Brady and Belichek. Not to compare ANYTHING because I hate that, but the only word for the Patriots before Drew was irrelevant. I only wish he'd improved instead of declining from '97 on. Either way Drew Bledsoe will ALWAYS have a special spot in my heart!!!

[@richardyoung871]

In this part of the video I remember when I went to the hospital to visit Lee,and they had shaved all of his hair off and I could see the stitches and I told him that when you are ready to come back to work the job is yours and he said it will take time so I left it at that but his parents knew the situation and he further explained more stuff which I believed as a CATHOLIC and did he tell his parents and he said no,because I won't think he was crazy but he is OK, now,still living in NEW JERSEY with his wife and daughter and I am happy for him

[@bookiebrown7012e]

Drew ushered in a real change in pats history took them from a joke to real smoke

[@aVerveQuest]

Most of that bledsoe versus Brady came down to money and the salary cap becoming bigger and bigger in the NFL. Brady was on a discount a heavy discount while bledsoe had the heaviest contract in the NFL at the time. Add New England umbrella checks kept Brady in the mindset of taking discount year after year, and it was lucky that it paid off for both parties

[@samgately5617]

My first ever pats jersey was drew Bledsoe

[@Stevesautopartsify]

Wasn't like he didn't have a shot for years before Tom took over!

[@rodbutler4054]

Drew is a great human being and football QB.He got a 100 million contract but his injury gave us Tom Brady who we know no one could compete with. The rest is history.

[@hughmungus2589]

what an incredible fluff piece to promote his wine. This is why 'sports journalism' from SI/ESPN has always been hot garbage. Bledsoe was a QB icon in the 90s and despite how this piece paints him, he wasn't defined as the weak sister to the Tom Brady legacy. There was also so much more to his time in Dallas they could've focused on

[@martintapia9374]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 ...didnt know much about Drew, but definitely an honorable man. In the end, I'd rather have my beautiful wife at my side (like Drew) than winning 7 Superbowls, like Brady did. What does success really mean when you loose your wife + family like Brady did❓️

[@ramsden35]

The Bledsoe’s didn’t realise who they were up against.

[@andrewshaw8113]

Drew is the more likable guy at this point in time.

[@michaelbagsby5996]

i had really thought he was like Marino, just a big fan of his!

[@billyjean9484]

Drew is a great father, husband and friend. Tom is none of those things.

[@Lrock79]

As a Bears fan I loved watching Bledsoe, him and Ben Coates, were like Mahomes and Kelsey. Brady is the G.O.A.T., but Bledsoe had an arm that rivaled Favre’s.

[@FGF-om6nm]

The NFL & the USA needed a "PATRIOTS" dynasty after 9-11 Tom Brady was a gift from God, and that's coming from a NY Giants fan from NYC. How ironic is it that Brady was winless in the Superbowl against the Giants in his career?

[@timheiserman]

Drew Bledsoe from Washington State.

[@chadbinette3201]

It's so crazy seeing them then, $100 million QB and 6th rounder. And how grounded drew and his family is now vs Brady in mansions and supermodel wife (ex drama ) and so on. I know drew can wear that SB ring proud knowing he won the AFC championship game. Jimmy G has a few rings he rode the pine for.

[@Dachoseone2546]

Love ya drew

[@atilajamir3978]

Isn't his life richer and more fulfilled than Tom's? Respect .

[@richardyoung871]

In this part of the video I was to young to see Bledsoe play,but when new England drafted Brady as a 4th string QB,no one thought that he could win 6 rings and with NEW ENGLAND cutting the head coach let's see,as they are rebuilding like a lot of NFL teams are doing from coach down

[@aVerveQuest]

I love to Drew and truly thought the Patriots lost their mind when they chose Brady over him. Granted at the time I wasn't really watching football, any real meaningful way, but still my bad

[@lanceedward8943]

Drew and Tom were treated the same way only 2 difference between them is Drew lost his position to injury and Tom lost his position to age. Belichick wasn’t right for what he did to drew but he was also not wrong for his decision!

[@deejaysyn420]

why should Drew Bledsoe be jealous. he had a great career and seems to be doing great after football. As a lifelong redskins fan ill say Bledsoe was one of my fav qbs when i was a young man

[@Drupy206]

I respected the man before he played for New England, his college years @ WSU.