Tom Brady Trying To Trademark Tom Terrific

Tom Brady has done many things in his 19-year NFL playing career. He has won a record six Super Bowl titles, won a number of MVPs awards, and is widely recognized as the “greatest” living quarterback in the NFL (sorry, Joe Montana).

But one thing Brady is not is Tom Terrific.

On Sunday night word came down that Brady and his company TBE Capital were looking to trademark the moniker “Tom Terrific” in Brady’s name.  In fact, a Philadelphia law firm, Gerben Law Firm PLLC, reported two applications were made by Brady for “Tom Terrific.” One filing relates to collectible trading cards, sports trading cards, posters, and printed photographs.

The second filing that was made on the same day is for t-shirts and shirts.

“These filings indicate that Tom Brady’s company is planning to launch a line of clothing called “TOM TERRIFIC,” and also planning to launch a line of collectible trading cards with the same name,” Gerben Law reported.

The only problem is the nickname “Tom Terrific” is widely associated with one man: Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher of the New York Mets. While Seaver and the Mets never legally trademarked the nickname – why would they?

There have been other athletes who have shared nicknames. Lawrence Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson come to mind, with both sharing the nickname, ‘LT.’ While there is really only one true LT (Lawrence Taylor) this means you, Tomlinson never decided to legally brand the name in order to make money off it, or send a legal challenge.

The fact that Brady is willing to do so and set a legal precedent that will shake up the sports world says all you need to know about the Patriots quarterback.

Brady is not only interested in the fastest money grab possible, but his bitter hatred for all things New York seeps through such a decision. What would one expect from a guy who lost two Super Bowls to the New York Giants, and whose coach has bizarre, never-ending hatred for the New York Jets?

And don’t tell me Brady isn’t aware who that name is associated with, what team and what city. He knows. He just doesn’t care.

The most tragic part of this whole episode is that we will never hear from Seaver, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.  Since that announcement by the Seaver family, the 74-year old has become recluse, ending public engagements, and will not be in attendance when the Mets celebrate the 1969 World Series championship later this summer. Tom Terrific, the real Tom Terrific won’t be there. 

And if anyone needs a reminder of how great Seaver was in his day, look no further than the 311 career wins in his 20-year playing career; an ERA of 2.57 which is still the lowest in Mets club history, and sixth all time in strike outs with 3,640.

While they are from two different sports, one thing Seaver has over Brady is he didn’t get caught deflating any balls. In fact that might be a better nickname for Brady, one that will truly stick: The Deflator.