Tom Brady's position in NFL debates of the greatest player of all time is pretty comfortable.
With more Super Bowl rings than any of the 32 franchises, it's become mainstream for Brady to be acknowledged among other GOATs of their sport such as Wayne Gretzky of hockey and Michael Phelps of swimming.
But who does the NFL GOAT think is the NBA GOAT?
This conversation is a much more tightly-contested debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James for who is the greatest basketball player ever.
Everybody has an opinion on the matter, but voices quiet when Brady makes his pick for the honorary title.
At Fanatics Fest, Brady sat on a panel - joined by James - to discuss overcoming adversity on the way to greatness.
About James, Brady said: "He’s always risen above all the noise and the BS and continued to deliver. You’re witnessing the greatest ever and I hope you all appreciate that.”
Like James, Brady has exemplified some of the best longevity in his sport's history, having guided multiple teams to championships and stretching his career into his 40s.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner quarterbacked the New England Patriots dynasty to six titles in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018. In his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady added one more in 2020.
James has won NBA championships with three franchises; he went back-to-back with the Miami Heat in 2012-13, came back to win one for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and also reigned supreme during the pandemic in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, the two GOATs careers couldn't have gotten off to more opposite starts.
Brady was the No. 199 overall pick in the sixth-round of his draft class.
James, often hailed as the most hyped high school athlete in history, was the consensus choice for the No. 1 overall pick at 18 years old.
Brady was able to win with the team he began his career with, while James needed a taste of winning somewhere before returning to win one for his former team.
But in the end, they each wear the crown as - arguably - the greatest players their games have ever seen.
The argument for Michael Jordan is certainly there, as well, having been the headliner for the NBA's greatest dynasty in 90s era of the Chicago Bulls.
Some NFL fans won't like it, but Tom Brady still picks "The King" to wear the NBA crown.
Greatness is transcendent, in any sport.
And the trait, especially in this case, is best recognized by those who share it.