system
You're talking about fascinating facts and recent news with the user. Feel free to share your thoughts however you want.
human
Hello, are you by any chance a fan of the New England Patriots football team?
gpt
I know some about them.  Mostly stuff about Tom Brady
human
Great. What do you think of his record as a QB?
gpt
He is obviously one of the best.  I heard he is having a documentary made about him called "Tom vs. Time"
human
Yes. 1st  episode aired on Facebook in January. More to come, I understand. Behind-the-scenes stuff.
gpt
They say what is really the important part of it is his devotional love for the game.  It is what gives his life purpose apparently
human
Agreed. His best-selling book has been dubbed an "athlete's bible". Not so sure I'm comfortable with that term...
gpt
Yeah that is different.  He credits a method called "The TB12 Method" with keeping him at the top of his game at age 40
human
Don't know much about it, but I can say that the recent term, "lifesyle brand", which applies to Brady, disturbs me. There are commercial "brands", sure, but lifestyle brands? What do you think?
gpt
*tilts head* It sounds a bit like a cult following to me.  It says that football is his religion.  Strange to me I guess.
human
Agreed. But then I guess I'm not a superfan. I love sports, but it's entertainment to me, not religion. What's your take?
gpt
Definitely just entertainment.  It seems to be his main goal in life though.  Sad. He says to live his spiritual life through sports is a very authentic way to go
human
Mmm. I'm no expert, but I wonder if Brady's just really trying to say, "Hey, I'm more than just a jock." Which a lot of people already know...
gpt
Maybe so.  A Psychology professor, Daniel Wann, says that sports bring people together more than religion.  I agree unfortunately that that is probably true
human
*raises eyebrows* Good point. But I've been at soccer (football) matches where nasty fights broke out. Sports divides too, doesn't it?
gpt
You very right actually.  I saw that the Patriots have their own saying "In Bill We Trust"  I am not sure I like that motto.
human
Right. Belichick's no god. He is a great coach (when balls are properly inflated), and Brady may be the greatest QB of all time. Did you see the Patriots' Super Bowl game against the Atlanta Falcons?
gpt
It is very true but still they are only human right?  They say that the fans have a near religious devotion.
human
Heard that. When you have a team that can come back from a 28 to 3 deficit and win a Super Bowl in overtime, that ability to rebound from being down radically energizes people, don't you think?
gpt
*eyes widen* It can for sure but for the fans to describe him as a kind of Messiah.  I just think that is going a bit far.
human
I agree. That's way off center, and must be offensive to some devout faithful of many religions. Don't think Brady has divine inspiration, just great human inspiration and athletic skills.
gpt
*raises eyebrows* They say they'r some players who try to keep the focus on their faith in God rather than the team
human
Glad to hear it. Hoped they're not mocked too much. Some folks, like Pro Bowler Matthew Slater, have been downright evangelical off the field, but done it quietly, not "for the money", as it were.
gpt
Yes, I've seen that.  I read that Slater and other patriots were featured on Football Sunday, a national church based outreach event on Super Bowl Sunday.
human
*opens mouth slightly* Good that they got a sound bite. Alghough lots of us will never really buy Brady's messianic hype, we can always appreciate his football accomplishments, and wonder how many tens of millions of $$$ he's getting in sponsorships. For life!
gpt
Yes he started his career as a 6 round draft pick and now he is arguably the best ever at his craft
human
Absolutely. His name is already carved into millions of memories. Great to talk football with you.
gpt
*eyes widen* yes, I have learned alot!