Great athletic genes clearly run in the Brady bloodline. From Nancy and Julie to Tom and Maureen—each sibling was actively involved in sports while growing up. While Nancy and Maureen excelled as softball pitchers, Julie was an elite soccer athlete. And Tom? Well, if those seven Super Bowl rings are any evidence, he was into football. He started out at Michigan, becoming the only Brady in the athletic family to turn pro. That was true until only recently.
The niece of the legendary NFL player, Maya Brady, recently concluded a stunning collegiate softball career at UCLA. Succeeding Tom Brady, she has received her pro card after her stellar AUSL debut, adding to the family legacy. And you know her jersey number? #7—the one her uncle almost wore, chasing after his seventh Super Bowl ring.
While some live up to the hype in their debuts, Maya soared beyond it. It was definitely worth the wait. After all, this is the first time she has played since April.
She missed the season’s first 18 games after going down with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. On Wednesday, she made her much-anticipated AUSL debut with the Talons.
She batted second, played left field, and delivered a notable impact at the plate. The Talons are arguably one of the elite teams in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. With Maya’s contribution, the Talons (15-4) notched their 10th victory out of their last 11 games.
She batted through nine pitches, drew a walk, and then stole second base. After a throwing error by the Blaze, Maya reached third base and gave the Talons a one-run lead. She was then scored on a fly ball by Vidales.
During the third inning, at her next at-bat, Brady delivered her first hit in the AUSL. Further in the fifth, she recorded her second hit. Given that it was her first game since early April, her outing was nothing short of spectacular. Unsurprisingly, Uncle Tom played a key role in her standout debut.
Maya Brady opened up about her bond with Uncle Tom Brady
Just earlier this week, Tom Brady gave his niece a shoutout on Instagram ahead of her AUSL debut. He noted, “Can’t wait to watch @mayabrady rake!” Given her stellar debut, you might expect a lot of sports pep talk from Tom. After all, being related to the NFL legend is something many young athletes can only dream of!
However, surprisingly, Tom and Maya’s relationship has much less to do with actual sports talk. Before her debut, she revealed what it’s actually like having Uncle Tom in her life. “Yeah, I think I always say, like, we never had a constructive conversation. But it’s always just for me; I think I get the most from him, just watching how he operates as a leader and as a competitor.”
Just the idea of learning how Tom carries himself has been a key takeaway for Maya. “So I think getting to be in such close quarters with somebody who is considered one of the GOATs is unreal,” she further emphasized. She has learned a great deal just by observing the former NFL superstar. That is something that has shaped her more than anything else.
But Maya’s softball genes came from her mom, Maureen, who was a softball athlete. She made it to the College World Series not once, but twice. While Maya carves her own path in the world of AUSL, she will always have her maternal side mentoring her.
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