Maya Brady, one of college softball’s most decorated players in recent memory, is set to begin her professional journey in the Athletics Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) and she’s opened up on the role of Tom Brady in her development.
Selected fifth overall by the Talons in the inaugural draft, Maya’s entry into the league marks another milestone for the athletic family, and a continuation of a sporting legacy that now spans generations.
Despite being sidelined by injury at the start of the season, she will make her anticipated debut tonight at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT, a team currently leading the AUSL standings and the moment carries significant personal weight.
But it also reflects the quiet influence of her famous uncle, who while never formally coaching the youngster, has played a key role in her development through example as she has frequently spoken about the subtle ways Tom has shaped her perspective.
Rather than direct advice, it was his example, his work ethic, leadership, and poise under pressure, that taught her what it means to compete at the highest level as he formed a formidable legacy with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
“Yeah, I think I always say like we never had a constructive conversation,” Maya explained. “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.
“I think there’s no doubting that he is the best ever to do it. So I think getting to be in such close quarters with somebody who is considered one of the GOATs is unreal.
“So, just learning from Tommy and learning from Kevin, I think you can learn so much from just observing.”
The Brady family’s immense sports legacy
That form of indirect mentorship is fitting for a family where excellence appears to be the baseline. While Tom may be the most famous Brady, Maya’s path to this point was forged in an environment where elite performance was the norm.
They’re not the only two Bradys in sports either. Tom is the youngest of four siblings, and all three of his sisters were standout athletes in their own right as Maya’s mother, Maureen, was a dominant All-American pitcher at Fresno State.
She led her team to multiple Women’s College World Series appearances whilst Julie earned a soccer scholarship at St. Mary’s College, and Nancy played softball for UC Berkeley.
In this environment, Maya developed not only her talent but her sense of discipline and competitive fire. During her collegiate career at UCLA, she established herself as one of the school’s most prolific hitters.
Her achievements include 71 career home runs, 246 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of .757. They’re numbers that place her among the Bruins’ all-time greats and she earned consecutive Pac-12 Player of the Year honors, joining an exclusive group of just five players in program history to do so.
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