‘Man in the Arena’: Tom Brady Explains the Hidden Meaning Behind the Name of his Brand New Docuseries

ESPN+ produced a docuseries on the career of NFL legend Tom Brady. From his New England Patriots days to his current run in Tampa Bay, the series aims to cover aspects of Brady’s life we often contemplate. From rivalries to friendships, touchdowns to interceptions, from the Draft to the Super Bowl. It’s a one-stop shop for the TB12 experience.

Tom Brady explains the meaning behind ‘Man in the Arena’

Before watching the documentary, we must understand the meaning of the title. ‘Man in the Arena’ seems like an unconventional name, but Brady has a perfectly reasonable explanation for it. According to the seven-time Super Bowl winner, the meaning harkens back to his college days.

Before taking the NFL by storm, Tom Brady impressed many with his performances for Michigan State. College rivalries rarely spell out in the NFL, but Brady holds his alma mater close to his heart. As a result, the name of the docuseries reflects the beginning of his career in this field.

“We had different working titles for it, and I always thought [Man in the Arena] was a really cool name for a show. That particular quote was a Theodore Roosevelt quote, and that was in the weight room at Michigan when I first got there. And I saw it every day. I always thought, ‘Wow, in so many ways you become that man in the arena.”

“There’s always the eyes focused on you as a player, and all these microsecond decisions you’re trying to make and it takes a lot to be put in that position, to deal with a lot of intense scrutiny over a period of time. I thought it fit very perfectly with what the purpose of this project was really supposed to be about.”

Where can you watch Man in the Arena?

Man in the Arena aired its first episode on Tuesday night. Tune in every Tuesday night to witness another chapter in the extraordinary career of Tom Brady. Not only is informative, but it’s a celebration of one of the greatest careers in professional sports.

Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the docuseries. Alongside the Brady doc, fans can watch a wide range of documentaries for $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year. The director, Gotham Chopra, had a lot to say about Brady before the airing of the first episode.

“Tom Brady has been a dominant force in the NFL, and in the broader culture, for two decades now. No player in recent memory has been more analyzed or debated, more beloved or reviled. “‘Man in the Arena’ is an examination of his impact on and off the field, and I’m eager for that discussion to continue around the series.”

Read more: ‘The Other Guy Got to Play’: Former Patriots QB Reveals How He Felt When Tom Brady Replaced Him and Won the Super Bowl