What does GOAT mean and why is it used to refer to Tom Brady in the NFL? (2024)

The journey of the greatest quarterback in NFL history and possibly the greatest player to ever walk the planet had to end one day, and this day seems quite soon.

One of NFL’s most prestigious reporters, Ian Rapoport, announced that Brady is expected to retire from the league in the next few days when the quarterback himself will make it official.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has carried the New England Patriots for 20 years and made history with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2020 with extraordinary career stats- enough to call him the GOAT.

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What does The GOAT mean?

One of the most popular terms with which Tom Brady has always been known is 'The GOAT' , which has also been used to refer to other great athletes such as Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé, among others.

The GOAT basically means 'The Greatest of All Time,' and it has been used for several decades by the United States press. Legendary boxer Mohamed Ali, basketball player Michael Jordan, and golfer Tiger Woods, were all also referred to as the GOATs back in the day.

How and when did the term GOAT become legit? In 1992, when Muhammad Ali’s wife Lonnie Ali, established Greatest of All Time, Inc. (GOAT, Inc.) to license her husband's intellectual properties. Later on, the company was renamed Muhammad Ali Enterprises, and the term remains used to this day.

What does GOAT mean and why is it used to refer to Tom Brady in the NFL? (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called the goat? ›

These three athletes all have been called "The GOAT," but what does that even mean? The term "GOAT" is an acronym for "Greatest of All Time" and is believed to have originated in the world of hip-hop music in the 1990s. The term was popularized by rapper and actor LL Cool J.

Why is Tom called the goat? ›

They call him the Goat as a nickname. It's an acronym that stands for “greatest of all time” at what do you. So “they” believe he is the best quarterback ever in the NFL, which is inarguably the best football league.

What does goat mean in NFL? ›

GOAT (or G.O.A.T.) is an acronym which stands for 'greatest of all time'. It is a tag which is reserved for the individual who is deemed to be the undisputed master of their sport.

Who is the real goat in the NFL? ›

Tom Brady is universally known as the GOAT (greatest of all time) in NFL circles. With seven Super Bowl wins from his illustrious 23 years in the sport, he set standards and records that will never be beaten.

Who invented the term goat? ›

It turns out we can attribute the term G.O.A.T. to the actual G.O.A.T. himself: Muhammad Ali. In his time, the boxer was popularly nicknamed “The Greatest,” which his wife then turned into G.O.A.T. for publicity in the 1990s.

Who came up with the name goat? ›

GOAT, as a word used in reference to “Greatest of All Time,” had its origin in an expected place: Muhammad Ali. In Sept. 1992, Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's wife, incorporated G.O.A.T.

Did Tom Brady ever call himself The GOAT? ›

In this interview, Brady -- either intentionally or by accident -- shared with the world that he actually does view himself as the GOAT ... at least when his competitive juices are flowing.

Why are athletes called goats? ›

GOAT GOAT. Originating in the sports leagues of the USA, GOAT stands for “Greatest of All Time”.

Do they call Tom Brady The GOAT? ›

One of the most popular terms with which Brady has always been known is “The GOAT”, an acronym for “Greatest of all time”. This term is used to refer to great athletes and the United Press has been using it for a long time.

Who is the richest footballer in the world? ›

The world's richest footballer is Faiq Bolkiah who has a whopping net worth of over $20 billion. Born into a wealthy home, Bolkiah boasts a wealth greater than the likes of Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi combined.

Who is the best player of all time in the NFL? ›

Tom Brady

Is Mahomes better than Brady? ›

Mahomes Wins Consecutive Super Bowl MVPs

His three Super Bowl rings are the most of any active quarterback. Mahomes is also the first QB since Brady to win back-to-back championships and the second player ever with back-to-back Super Bowl MVPs — something Brady never accomplished.

Who is better, Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson? ›

Mahomes first won the award in 2018, with Jackson winning his MVP in 2019. Mahomes won the 2022 award, and Jackson is the overwhelming favorite in 2023.

What does the 🐐 mean? ›

When not alluding to the literal animal, the goat emoji stands for GOAT, an acronym meaning Greatest of All Time. It is generally used in reference to highly skilled individuals, such as award-winning musicians or talented athletes, in order to praise them as being the all-time best in their chosen field.

What does the acronym goat stand for? ›

abbreviation for Greatest Of All Time: used to refer to or describe the person who has performed better than anyone else ever, especially in a sport: Mohammad Ali boxed his way into our hearts and will forever be known as GOAT, Greatest Of All Time. Hamilton may end up being the GOAT as far as I can see.

Why is it called Girl and the Goat? ›

The chef — whose last name, Izard, means a mountain goat from the Pyrenees —chose Girl and the Goat when naming her first Chicago restaurant (there's one in Los Angeles, as well).

What is the meaning of the goat title? ›

Greatest of All Time is a term used to describe something or someone who is considered the best in a certain category and frequently used in popular lists of superlatives. It is typically abbreviated as G.O.A.T.

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