Patriots Players Discuss the Fearsome Power of Tom Brady's Head-Butts

"You're just glad you have your helmet on."

That's how New England Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell describes being part of quarterback Tom Brady's head-butt celebrations.

There aren't many quarterbacks in the league who show as much emotion as Brady does, especially after a score, and the 37-year-old signal-caller tends to head-butt his teammates when he gets fired up. 

Well, turns out Brady's teammates are more fearful than excited when they see him running over to them to celebrate. A few Patriots players talked to The Wall Street Journal's Kevin Clark about what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a Brady head-slam.

Receiver Brian Tyms, who caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Brady in his first game with the Patriots, has discovered that distance isn't going to stop Brady from celebrating.

"

You've got to—got to—be prepared for his head-butts and high-fives, because they are coming…You've got to brace yourself. It doesn't look like much coming at you but it's intense. If he throws the ball 50 yards and you run 50 yards and score, he's going to run all 50 yards and head-butt the hell out of you.

"

LaFell has caught seven touchdown passes in his first season with New England. He has had a breakout year after signing with the team this past offseason, but he's paid the price for his success.

"All of a sudden he's a foot away from you, head-butting you three times," LaFell said. "I'm like, hey, man, calm down."

Offensive players aren't the only ones who have to watch out for Brady's dome.

Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty told Clark about the time Brady head-butted him during warm-ups earlier this season.

"I didn't know he'd come that hard. My helmet was loose," McCourty said. "So I felt it."

Brady does it during warm-ups? It sounds like his energy is undeniable on game day.

As much as Patriots players may fear the head-butts, they do appreciate seeing their leader so emotionally invested in the game.

"To see someone who is 37 years old and not known for his mobility to meet you in the end zone, that's big," Tyms said.

Brady's not going to tone down his head-butting at this point in the season. If anything, he will probably get even more amped up as the team makes its run at the Super Bowl; however, with the Patriots sitting atop the AFC at 11-3, some shoulder slaps and a few encouraging words would probably suffice.

And who knows? Perhaps Brady's head-butts are his way of getting back at his teammates for leaving him hanging last year.