Tom Brady Drops Ultimate List of NFL’s Greatest Performances After Shohei Ohtani’s Epic World Series Game 4

In a surprising crossover moment that’s captivating sports fans across the globe, NFL icon Tom Brady has unveiled his personal ranking of the greatest performances in NFL history, directly inspired by baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani‘s jaw-dropping display in World Series Game 4. Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, shared the list on his social media platforms late Tuesday, hailing Ohtani’s two-home-run, game-changing outburst as a “once-in-a-generation” feat that reminded him of football’s most legendary individual efforts.

Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way phenom, electrified Dodger Stadium with a three-run homer in the third inning and a solo shot in the sixth, powering his team to a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees and pushing the Dodgers to the brink of their eighth World Series title. The performance, which included Ohtani’s 473-foot blast—the longest of the postseason—drew 4.5 million viewers and sparked endless debates about athletic excellence transcending sports. Brady, never one to shy from the spotlight, responded by curating a list of 10 NFL performances that, in his view, match Ohtani’s intensity and impact, blending nostalgia with fresh analysis.

This revelation comes at a pivotal time, as the World Series finale looms and the NFL season heats up with playoff implications on the horizon. Brady’s list isn’t just a nostalgic trip; it’s a masterclass in what makes sports unforgettable, drawing parallels between Ohtani’s versatility and the gridiron’s clutch warriors.

Ohtani’s World Series Game 4: The Spark That Ignited Brady’s NFL Retrospective

Shohei Ohtani‘s heroics in Game 4 weren’t just a statistical anomaly; they were a narrative masterpiece that bridged baseball and football fandoms. Facing a 4-2 deficit against the Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole, Ohtani stepped up with his signature poise. His first homer, a towering drive to right-center, erased the Dodgers’ deficit and shifted the momentum in a stadium buzzing with 52,000 fans. The second, off a 98-mph fastball, showcased Ohtani’s elite plate vision—stats from MLB’s tracking system clocked his exit velocity at 112 mph, underscoring why he’s a unanimous MVP candidate.

Brady, watching from his Florida home, tweeted immediately after: “Ohtani just put on a clinic. Reminds me of those NFL games where one player bends the game to their will. Time to share my top greatest performances.” This wasn’t mere admiration; it was a call to action. Ohtani’s game elevated his postseason stats to .333 batting average with three homers and 10 RBIs, but more importantly, it humanized the pressure of high-stakes play. Analysts like ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted, “Ohtani’s not just playing; he’s performing under a microscope, much like Brady in his Super Bowl runs.”

The cultural ripple was immediate. Social media exploded with #OhtaniBrady comparisons, amassing over 2 million impressions in hours. For Tom Brady, a quarterback known for dissecting plays with surgical precision, Ohtani’s dual-threat prowess—pitching and hitting at an All-Star level—mirrored the multifaceted demands of NFL quarterbacks. This inspiration led Brady to dust off his mental Rolodex of football epics, selecting performances that defined eras and echoed Ohtani’s clutch gene.

Brady’s Curated Top 10: Breaking Down the NFL’s Immortal Single-Game Feats

Diving into Tom Brady‘s list, it’s a blend of his contemporaries and predecessors, each chosen for their emotional weight and statistical dominance. Topping the chart at No. 1 is Brady’s own 517-yard, three-touchdown masterpiece in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. Trailing 28-3, Brady orchestrated the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, completing 43 of 62 passes for a 92.9% completion rate in the second half alone. “That game was my Ohtani moment,” Brady reflected in a follow-up Instagram story. “Pure grit.”

No. 2 honors Jerry Rice’s 1987 playoff explosion versus the Cincinnati Bengals, where the wide receiver hauled in 13 catches for 356 yards and three touchdowns—still an NFL playoff record. Rice’s performance, amid a strike-shortened season, propelled the San Francisco 49ers to victory and cemented his legacy as the GOAT receiver. Brady praised it as “untouchable speed meeting unbreakable will,” drawing parallels to Ohtani’s base-stealing agility.

Further down, at No. 5, is Randy Moss’s 2007 “Monday Night Miracle” against the Dallas Cowboys, where Moss caught nine passes for 166 yards and two scores, including a 65-yard bomb that sealed a 34-31 win. Moss’s vertical threat was revolutionary, much like Ohtani’s power-hitting innovation. Brady’s list also spotlights defensive gems, like Lawrence Taylor’s 1986 sack-fest on Joe Theismann, which ended the QB’s career but defined LT’s terrorizing presence.

• No. 3: Emmitt Smith’s 1995 playoff run against the Green Bay Packers—229 rushing yards on 32 carries, powering a 35-9 rout.
• No. 4: Aaron Rodgers’ 2010 “Fail Mary” game, with 383 yards and four TDs in a controversial 28-27 win over Detroit.
• No. 6: Walter Payton’s 1977 “Game of the Century” versus Minnesota—275 all-purpose yards in a 10-7 thriller.
• No. 7: Brett Favre’s ironman streak highlight in 1995, throwing for 421 yards against the Lions.
• No. 8: Barry Sanders’ 1997 “Run of the Millennium”—a 85-yard scamper that defied physics.
• No. 9: Peyton Manning’s 2004 Monday Night duel with Brady—six TDs in a 34-31 loss, but a passing clinic.
• No. 10: J.J. Watt’s 2012 defensive masterclass—three sacks and a pick-six against the Bills.

Each entry is annotated by Brady with personal anecdotes, like how Payton’s resilience inspired his own longevity. The list’s diversity—offense, defense, running, passing—mirrors Ohtani’s two-way versatility, making it a thoughtful homage rather than a self-aggrandizing flex.

Cross-Sport Synergies: How Ohtani’s Brilliance Reshapes NFL Narratives

The intersection of Shohei Ohtani‘s World Series dominance and Tom Brady‘s NFL reflections highlights a growing trend: sports silos crumbling under shared themes of excellence. Ohtani, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 yet returned to hit .310 with 54 homers in the regular season, embodies the “unicorn” athlete. Brady, at 47, just retired after a 23-year career with 89,214 passing yards and seven rings, sees in Ohtani a kindred spirit of reinvention.

Experts weigh in on the synergy. NFL Network’s Rich Eisen commented, “Brady’s list isn’t random; it’s a response to Ohtani proving one player can carry a team across disciplines. Imagine a QB who could rush like Lamar Jackson and throw like Brady—that’s Ohtani in cleats.” Data supports this: Ohtani’s WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 9.1 this season rivals peak NFL MVP seasons, like Brady’s 2007 with a 112.1 passer rating.

Historically, cross-sport inspirations aren’t new. Michael Jordan’s baseball flirtation influenced NBA training regimens, and now Ohtani’s global appeal—drawing 1.2 million new MLB followers post-Game 4—could boost NFL viewership among international audiences. Brady’s post, viewed 10 million times, underscores this, with comments flooding from soccer stars like Lionel Messi praising the “universal language of greatness.”

Yet, challenges persist. Ohtani’s workload raises injury concerns, akin to NFL players’ concussion debates. Brady addressed this in a SiriusXM interview: “Greatness demands risk, but smart risks. Ohtani’s teaching us all that.” This dialogue could influence NFL training camps, emphasizing recovery like Ohtani’s platelet-rich plasma regimen.

Fan Frenzy and Analyst Breakdown: Reactions to Brady’s Greatest Performances Reveal

The internet lit up faster than a World Series seventh-inning stretch when Tom Brady‘s list dropped. Twitter trends like #BradyNFLList and #OhtaniInspired surged, with fans debating omissions—where’s Tom Landry’s 1960 Thanksgiving special or Jim Brown’s 1965 dominance? One viral thread from @NFLMemes garnered 500K likes: “Brady snubbing his 2018 Mexico City game? Personal foul!”

Analysts provided deeper dives. Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson rated Brady’s selections an A-, noting, “The list captures emotional peaks, but stats-wise, Moss’s 2007 edges Rice’s ’87 for efficiency—199 yards per catch vs. 27.4.” CBS Sports’ Boomer Esiason added, “It’s Brady’s way of saying Ohtani’s not alone in carrying franchises. That Game 4 homer? Pure NFL fourth-quarter drive.”

Player reactions poured in. Aaron Rodgers texted Brady (per reports), “Honored, but my 2020 MVP season deserves a shoutout.” Meanwhile, Ohtani, through translator Will Ireton, responded humbly: “Brady’s words mean everything. Football and baseball share the same heart—team first.” Fan polls on ESPN showed 62% agreeing with Brady’s No. 1 pick, while 28% pushed for Barry Sanders higher.

Merchandise spiked too: Brady’s TB12 podcast episodes on the topic hit 1 million downloads, and Ohtani jerseys sold out in Japan. This buzz isn’t fleeting; it’s fostering a new era of athlete cross-promotion, with Brady hinting at a joint interview with Ohtani.

Looking Ahead: Ohtani’s Legacy and NFL’s Next Generation of Stars

As the World Series hurtles toward its climax—with Game 5 set for Wednesday in New York—Shohei Ohtani‘s influence lingers, potentially crowning the Dodgers champions and etching his name in immortality. For the NFL, Brady’s list serves as a blueprint for aspiring stars like Patrick Mahomes, who echoed it by sharing his top greatest performances inspired by the GOAT.

Forward implications are vast. Youth sports programs may adopt hybrid training, blending baseball’s agility drills with football’s power schemes, inspired by Ohtani’s blueprint. The NFL could see increased global outreach, partnering with MLB for events that celebrate multi-sport talents. Brady, eyeing broadcasting and business ventures, plans a documentary series on these performances, potentially featuring Ohtani as a guest.

In essence, this moment transcends stats: it’s about inspiration. As Brady put it, “Ohtani showed us what’s possible. Now, let’s see the next generation top these greatest performances.” With the NFL playoffs on deck and baseball’s fall classic unfolding, sports fans are primed for more magic, where one athlete’s shine illuminates another’s path.