Tom Brady Questions Scottie Scheffler's Comments Prioritizing Family Over Golf Career

NFL legend Tom Brady offered his perspective regarding Scottie Scheffler's viral comments about the lack of personal fulfillment he enjoys from his success on the golf course.

Brady said he understood the sentiment.

"In 2005, I gave an interview to 60 Minutes where I sounded a little bit like Scottie Scheffler," he said. "I'd won three Super Bowls in my first four years as a starter, and I was explaining to the interviewer how, when I looked at my trophies and Super Bowl rings, I found myself thinking, 'There's gotta be more than this…this can't be all…'"

One piece of advice Brady provided to Scheffler raised some eyebrows. The seven-time Super Bowl champion pushed back on the assertion that being both a great father and a great golfer, in Scheffler's case, have to be "mutually exclusive":

"For instance, I think part of being a great father is being a great example of doing what it takes to take care of your family. I chose to do it by playing football. My dedication to the sport, the hours of practice, the moments when I was laser focused—those were times when I believe I was doing the best possible thing for my family and my kids, by prioritizing my profession and teaching, by example, what it takes to be really good at your job, what it takes to follow through on commitments, what it takes to be a great teammate; and showing them, also by example, that work is a big part of all of our lives.

"Remember, your children are watching everything. They see what you do in every aspect of your life and how you do it. Reading bedtime stories and helping them with homework are not the only ways to be a great parent. And neither is winning Super Bowls or MVPs. Being a great football player didn’t make me a great dad, but how I became a great player certainly had an impact—from showing up day in and day out, to doing whatever it took to get better, be successful, be a role model, and to provide."

Quite simply, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting in the same way there isn't one for being or for being a star athlete at the level of Brady or Scheffler.

For some, the quest for greatness can be all-consuming, and it's worth it to make sacrifices in other aspects of your life in pursuit of that goal.

For others, striking a better work-life balance is important. Time is something you never get back, and there are important moments with your family you don't get to do over if you miss them.

If Scheffler approached golf like Tiger Woods did, then maybe he'd have more than four major titles to this point his career. Perhaps he'd even be on a pace to challenge Jack Nicklaus' record 18 championships.

But the 29-year-old's general mindset hasn't stopped him from becoming the best golfer in the world, one whose dominance is drawing comparisons to Woods.

At the end of the day, fans have to accept the idea Scheffler is satisfied enough to be a great golfer instead of the greatest.