Sports

Hoyer learned from the best when he was Brady's backup

FOXBORO — Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer backed up Tom Brady when he first played in the NFL and it's served him well in the five years since he left.

Hoyer, the backup to Jay Cutler in Chicago, learned the tricks of the trade while in the quarterback room with Brady. Their natural rivalry because Brady went to Michigan and Hoyer went to Michigan State always made things fun and interesting.

"I learned a lot," said Hoyer. "I tried to take advantage as best as I could. I learned from great coaches, great players and when I got my chance I was able to implement that and use it to my advantage." 

Hoyer recalls first meeting Brady and how the quarterback who had already won three Super Bowls introduced himself.

"From day one, when he came in he said, 'Hey, I'm Tom.'", said Hoyer. "I knew that already, but that's just kind of the way he is. He's so humble, a great guy and to be able to stay in touch - he's always been one of the first guys to text me after a game whether it was good, bad or ugly or whatever it was, so it's a friendship that I have really cherished over the years."

He also has some advice for young quarterbacks who get the opportunity to learn from Brady.

"You just have to sit thre and watch," said Hoyer. "That's the biggest thing, but he's also a guy who goes out of his way to help. I think for me, I remember those years just trying to sit back and watch and soak up everything, whether it was in the meeting room, on the field, training - whatever it may be. He's such an intense competitor, if you can just soak it all up, you just kind of gain it by being around him."