Greg Harden, a student-athlete counselor turned author, has seen legendary players like Tom Brady come through Ann Arbor. However, Harden chose a unique way of sizing up the seven-time Super Bowl Champion, comparing him to his teammate Drew Henson.
TB12’s story has been full of ups and downs. In 2023, Harden confirmed that Brady wasn’t a college superstar who was handed everything on a silver platter. Instead, he was “Batman,” a gritty underdog standing up against his own “Superman” in teammate Drew Henson.
Harden appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” in July last year, sharing his perspective on Brady’s early days.
“Drew Henson was Superman. Tom Brady was Batman,” Harden said, setting up one of the most memorable analogies for Brady’s rise.
Greg Harden meant that Henson was a high school star with all the natural talent, while Brady had to fight for every inch. He didn’t get into the details of the Brady-Henson rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines.
Still, he highlighted that the seven-time Super Bowl champion dwelled on his unshakeable belief that he could overcome any obstacle. For Harden, Tom Brady was the hero who wasn’t born with everything but worked his way to greatness, using sheer will and a bit of that “Batman” edge.
Batman vs. Superman Rivalry ft. Tom Brady and Drew Henson at Michigan
Before becoming the greatest NFL quarterback at the New England Patriots, Tom Brady was locked in one of college football’s most debated battles. Michigan Wolverines fans constantly chose sides in this battle.
In 2012, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr spoke to Michigan Daily, explaining that it was a tricky choice. On one side was Tom Brady, the draft horse, steady and reliable. On the other, Drew Henson, the young “quarter horse” with star potential, had the Michigan fan base buzzing.
However, Carr found a solution: split the snaps. Brady would play the second quarter, Henson the first, and whoever had the hot hand took over the second half. Even at the time, some, like senior linebacker Ian Gold, saw the wisdom of sticking with Brady, the seasoned competitor who “had it.”
Meanwhile, friendships complicate loyalties for others such as freshman tight end Bennie Joppru. As one of Drew Henson’s close friends, Joppru admitted he rooted for Henson. Yet deep down, the desire to win trumped all.
Yet amidst the chatter, senior quarterback Jason Kapsner always believed that Brady was the guy.
“Tom earned the job every day,” Kapsner told TMD, while Henson, though talented, wasn’t the team’s leader just yet.
In the end, it was the patience and hard work that separated Brady from Henson. Brady boasted the Batman mentality — no superpowers, just grit, preparation, and a chip on his shoulder.