National Football League

Tom Brady dedicates seventh Super Bowl appearance to his mother

Published Feb. 5, 2017 6:43 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

While many believe the Deflategate controversy has been the driving force behind Tom Brady’s passion to win Super Bowl LI, the New England Patriots quarterback has made mention of his mother’s health in recent weeks.

Though he hasn’t gone into specifics, Brady has acknowledged this that this season has been “challenging” because of “personal reasons,” adding that his mom hadn't been to any games this year -- until Sunday.

But leading up to Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Brady told Jim Gray of Westwood One that he’s dedicated this game to his mom.

“She’s the one I want to win for,” Brady said, via Pro Football Talk.

Brady posted a photo of himself and his dad kissing his mother a day before the Super Bowl.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQG-_bZjL4n/?taken-by=tombrady

So while Brady could become the quarterback with the most Super Bowl rings in history, this very personal situation appears to be the one fueling him.