Before the buccaneers ‘running back, Leonard Fournette, played a key role in the Chiefs’ defeat by 31 to 9 at the Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay, he was highly motivated by Tom Brady’s pre-game speech.
Fournette told the Pardon My Take podcast that Brady’s speech on honor “woke up” the team.
“I had to keep him among the team, but it was a powerful message (expletive) that we all needed to hear,” said Fournette. “I think that’s how he delivered it … It just woke us up, gave us the spark we needed.
“Many boys are motivated that they can play for money or for the family or just because they love him. But when Tom said ‘We’re playing for honor’ and the surnames on our backs, I think that this type of scam is different for us. “
Fournette, who accounted for 89 run yards in 16 runs and a touchdown, also he remembered Brady sending him and his teammates the same text message every night before the Super Bowl. It was a simple three-word proclamation “we will win”.
“It would be 530 in the morning because he is the first person to get up, that’s exactly what he is,” said Fournette. “You don’t understand that much, to witness greatness up close.
“It was crazy moments like, sometimes in the defense field – probably during a play – I’m like, ‘Damn it, I’m really playing with (expletive) Tom Brady, this is crazy.'”
Immediately after the victory, as the celebratory confetti covered the Raymond James Stadium, Brady – after receiving his fifth Super Bowl MVP trophy – told the media he would be back for another season.
“Yes, we are coming back,” the quarterback said. “You already know that.”
While Brady will be back, Fournette becomes a free agent in March. However, Fournette wants to stay with Tampa Bay.
Fournette was selected as the 4th overall choice in the 2017 NFL draft as the 4th overall choice by the Jaguars. After his release before the start of the 2020 season, the Bucs signed him before Week 1. He started the final three games of the regular season.