Many sports analyst and experts have claimed once again that former NFL star Tom Brady dethroned the NBA icon as the greatest sportsman of all time
Few would argue against Michael Jordan being the GOAT in all sports, but American sports commentator Michael Irvin has suggested a rival, even saying, “that’s it he is The Goat of GOATS.”
At 61, Jordan is one of the most famous sports figures ever, thanks to his stellar NBA career. He is celebrated as the greatest basketball player of all time, with six NBA championships, six NBA Finals MVP awards, and five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, achieved during his time with the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards.
Jordan’s fame extends beyond basketball. He starred in Space Jam and became a cultural icon through his Air Jordan trainers with Nike.
While Jordan is a strong candidate for the GOAT title, Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin argued that NFL star Tom Brady is more deserving. Brady, who recently retired at 46, played 23 seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a record seven Super Bowls.
In a 2021 interview with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take, Irvin detailed why he believes Brady surpasses Jordan. Irvin highlighted Brady’s seven Super Bowl victories, emphasizing the difficulty of winning an NFL championship compared to an NBA championship. He stated, “Tom Brady is the GOAT of all GOATs. This man won six [Super Bowls], and he just won a seventh. That’s it; it’s over.”
The debate between Jordan and Brady as the ultimate GOAT continues, with strong arguments on both sides. But here’s what we, NBA Daily, think on this matter:
Winning in the NFL is not easy, as it is in any team sport. However, if you have a generational talent like Brady (although no one saw it at the time), one of the best coaches in history, and a great team, it seems easier to win direct elimination games.
In the NBA, you have to go through 4 teams and beat each of them 4 times. This takes nothing away from Tom Brady, who is certainly the NFL GOAT, but compared to Jordan, he doesn’t even come close athletically.
Not even achievement-wise. Jordan has 6 NBA Championships in as many finals. The man retired, came back, and won again. He could have probably won 8 or 9 in a row, and his persona is unmatched. In our view, Jordan remains the greatest athlete of them all. The only one who can be compared, in our view, is actually Muhammad Ali.
