PARIS – Johnny Sexton had never heard of NFL legend Tom Brady until seven years ago – and now the Irish rugby legend must be tired of the comparisons between the two of them.
Sexton, 38, will have a hard time escaping their pursuit if he becomes the oldest player to win a Rugby World Cup when he lifts the Webb Ellis Trophy on October 28.
Brady, 43, holds the record as the oldest player to win a Super Bowl, one of seven he has won.
Sexton was once more in awe of New Zealand lock Brad Thorn, the 36-year-old who lifted the World Cup trophy in 2011. The oldest man to win a World Cup.
However, all that changed in 2016 when former England manager and self-proclaimed NFL enthusiast Stuart Lancaster joined Sexton’s Leinster club.
“Stewart got me hooked on Tom Brady,” Sexton said in February 2018, when he was 32 years old.
“I don’t know Brady personally. “I haven’t watched any football, but he is the most successful quarterback in NFL history. “
The savvy Lancaster struck the right chord.
Nothing motivates Sexton more than making history or being the best at something – although Sexton’s long-suffering wife Laura won’t be happy.
“Stewart convinced me that I was going to play until I was 40 and my wife was going crazy!” Sexton said.
“I’m looking at his (Brady) situation and trying to figure out how to extend my career as long as possible.”
Lancaster said after getting to know Sexton, it was obvious how much the two sports greats had in common.
“I can see the comparison,” Lancaster said in 2018. “Honestly, I can. I can see that when I start watching the (New England) Patriots and seeing how they went to five Super Bowls and Tom Brady is the quarterback that did it.
“I’ve been looking for clips and sending them to Johnny.”
Sexton has certainly read the right books about extending his career as he prepares to lead his side into Saturday’s quarter-final clash with the All Blacks.
However, he eased Laura’s anxiety by saying that 40 was beyond his capabilities and once the final whistle blew for Ireland in this tournament it might not be the time for pipes and slippers, but it would be time to hang up the boots. .
Sexton even used Brady’s words to inspire his Leinster team-mates after their big win (European Cup in 2018).
“Johnny spoke to us in the locker room and quoted Tom Brady saying that after he won a Super Bowl he wanted to win the next Super Bowl and not reflect the one that had just gone away,” hooker James Tracy recalled road.
“It’s all about legacy and how many wins we’ve had.”
Sexton reminds others of Brady – the undisputed No. 1 in Ireland and one who has remained there.
Billy Burns, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Jack Carty and Ian Madigan all had attempts, but as Sexton maintained his high standards they all give up halfway.
“In terms of key decision-makers, there are ten guys, they’re your quarterback — just like Tom Brady, people have been talking down on him for the last six seasons, but he keeps proving people wrong and then comes back , he’s 42 now?” Leinster director of rugby Leo Cullen said in 2020.
“I think Johnny sees himself as being in this model. “It’s the ability to think. “
For Sexton’s former Leinster and Ireland team-mate Jamie Heaslip, Brady had this in mind when he was asked if the Ireland captain was under threat ahead of last year’s Six Nations.
“Johnny is the GOAT. He’s not going anywhere,” Heaslip said.
“He’s the Tom Brady of the IRFU now and he’s not going to give up that jersey.
“He’s ahead of everyone else right now.”
Sexton did not disappoint Heaslip. A Hail Mary or two — a prayer rather than a pass — could see his final dream come true in fairytale Brady fashion.AFP