Legendary quarterback Tom Brady has pulled back the curtain on one of American football's most fascinating what-if stories, revealing how the San Francisco 49ers' decision to pass on him six times during the 2000 NFL Draft created a personal rivalry that would span over two decades.
The Draft Day Snub That Changed Everything
During his recent "Storytime with Tom Brady" podcast episode, the seven-time Super Bowl champion made a stunning confession about when his lifelong loyalty to the 49ers completely evaporated. "You know, my allegiance to the Niners left when they skipped over me six times in the 2000 draft," Brady stated with the clarity that only two decades of reflection can provide.
The painful memory remains vivid for the quarterback who would become the greatest of all time. While Brady waited anxiously, the 49ers used their third-round pick to select Hofstra quarterback Giovanni Carmazzi. The decision would become one of the most infamous in draft history. Brady eventually went to the New England Patriots at pick number 199, a full 134 selections after Carmazzi.
The contrast between the two quarterbacks' careers couldn't be more dramatic. While Carmazzi never played a single regular-season NFL game and eventually transitioned to goat farming, Brady was already collecting Super Bowl rings. "I just wanted to make sure that the coaches who were out there at the time that you chose a goat farmer over me, and I never forgot that," Brady emphasized, making it clear the memory served as constant motivation.
Multiple Missed Opportunities to Correct the Mistake
Brady revealed that the 49ers had several chances to rectify their original error but failed to capitalize each time. In 2020, when Brady became a free agent after his historic run with the Patriots, San Francisco seriously considered replacing Jimmy Garoppolo with the veteran champion. However, they ultimately stuck with their starter, watching helplessly as Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and immediately won another championship.
The scenario repeated itself in 2023 when Brock Purdy's elbow injury created quarterback uncertainty for the 49ers. Coach Kyle Shanahan reached out to Brady in an attempt to bring him onboard, but by then, the history between them had hardened. Brady turned down the opportunity, leaving the 49ers to wonder what might have been yet again.
Bay Area Memories: Sweet Victory and Bitter Defeat
Brady also shared his mixed emotions about returning to play in the Bay Area throughout his career. He fondly remembered the New England Patriots' 30-17 victory over the 49ers in 2016, describing it as one of his favorite moments because more than 100 friends and family members were in the stands to witness his four-touchdown performance.
However, he also recalled the humbling 35-7 loss in 2022 when his Buccaneers were thoroughly outplayed by a 49ers team led by Brock Purdy in his first career start. "We got our butts kicked," Brady admitted with characteristic honesty.
Despite his specific issues with the 49ers, Brady acknowledged they weren't alone in underestimating his potential. "They all passed over me six times… the Patriots passed over me five times. So, they were just one less than everybody else. That is OK, it all worked out," he concluded, demonstrating that while he never forgot the slights, he ultimately appreciated the journey.
Two decades later, Tom Brady firmly controls the narrative of his career, while the 49ers remain on the wrong side of one of sports' greatest draft stories. The quarterback who became a legend never forgot being the prospect nobody wanted enough, and he made sure every team that passed on him—especially the one that did it six times—would remember what they missed.
