Tom Brady on MNF: ‘This is the reason why we work hard’

After enjoying a bye week, the 7-2 New England Patriots will get back to work when they travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers Monday night.

According to Brady, all of the work you put in is geared at moments like Monday football.

“The important part for me in the offseason and for me during the season, I want to earn the respect of the guys that I play with today,” Brady said via ESPN Boston. “You don’t want to sit here and have your guys respect you for what you did 10 years ago. Those things aren’t important to me. What’s important is I show up every day to be a leader, to perform at a high level. There’s nothing more I love than to be around the stadium in the offseason, be around those guys running and lifting. That’s where you develop the camaraderie between everybody, that’s where you put the work in.”

“This is the reason why we work hard, for moments like this, ‘Monday Night football,’ the 11th week of the year, our season’s on the line, we’ve got to go out there and play our best.”

With Brady under center, the Patriots have traditionally been unbeatable at this time of year, posting a 34-10 November record. Brady has also won 13 of his last 17 Monday Night Football games.

The Patriots and Panthers will kickoff at 8:40 pm EST and the game is on ESPN.