Drew and Tom

The interviewer confessed how awkward he felt sitting in front of the two football players.

The two players were Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe and the awkwardness was stemming from the fact that it was Superbowl week and there was great debate and uncertainty surrounding who would start for the New England Patriots.

Now what I find fascinating about this moment is the vastly different reactions the quarter backs display upon hearing the interviewer’s discomfort.

Drew immediately locks up and looks extremely nervous whether as Tom laughs loudly.

And I think this hints at their opposing mindsets.

Drew couldn’t joke about it.

Drew desperately needed to start.

He was terrified of not playing and he dreaded hearing the news to confirm his worst fear.

Tom on the other hand could laugh about it because he wasn’t scared.

He wanted to start but he didn’t need to start and he certainly wasn’t afraid of not starting.

Should the coach’s decision not go his way, he knew he’d be fine. He was confident in his own abilities.

For Drew the competition meant an identity crisis.

Whether as with Tom you wouldn’t want to give him any challenges because that would only make him stronger.