Tom Brady Tells Georgetown Graduates Failure Is Not Final

Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady spoke to graduates at Georgetown University's 2026 commencement ceremony. He centered his remarks on how setbacks and persistence shaped his career rather than on his seven Super Bowl titles. Brady cited the Patriots' 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI in 2017.

He told the audience that when facing similar odds, individuals must decide whether to quit or continue.

Brady stated that past success provides limited protection against future challenges. He listed companies including Blockbuster, Kodak, Nokia, and Blackberry as examples of organizations that lost ground after underestimating competitors. He said credentials alone do not guarantee continued achievement and that sustained performance requires ongoing effort.

Brady described waiting until his fourth season at the University of Michigan to become a starter. He encouraged graduates to accept positions that appear demanding because those roles develop new skills. He said long hours and unfamiliar tasks are the elements that make a job valuable for personal growth. Brady added that quitting removes the possibility of success.

Brady told graduates that attempts with low odds of success can create new routes forward. He said the experience of failure can push people beyond familiar limits. He stated that momentary defeats do not determine final outcomes and that persistence remains the decisive factor.