Maverick Superstar

As things stand, Glazers family which owns NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers and English Premier league Football (Soccer) team Manchester United are having an amazing 2021. Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in Super Bowl final for first time since their triumph in 2002. On the other hand Manchester United are top of Premier League and are looking like real contenders for first time since their last championship win in 2013. Honestly speaking if somebody had predicted something like this happening 12 months ago people would have laughed.

Both Tampa Bay and Manchester United have been struggling for few years. But arrival of a maverick changed fortunes for both teams. Tom Brady after glorious career with New England Patriots moved down south to Florida. People thought it was his retirement journey like most people who shift from cold North East to Florida for its sunny weather. But Brady inspired Tampa to Super Bowl final. 

Manchester United were struggling. Bruno Fernandez has proved their maverick. He arrived from Portugal in January 2020. He has transformed the team in title contenders. He has similar (or few would argue a bigger) impact to what Brady has done with Tampa Bay. For Manchester United, something like this has happened before. In 1992 certain Eric Cantona arrived from Leeds United and helped them win championship in 25 years. That championship built foundation for continued success over next 25 years.

Nobody is arguing with fact that both NFL and Football / Soccer are team sports. Over the course of the season at least 25 different players that are going to be involved. Everyone has a role to play. But it’s kind of amazing how arrival of a maverick actually lifts the place and improves the team and morale of superstars! The role Tom Brady and Bruno Fernandez have played for their respective teams have just proved Elbert Hubbard right one more time…