New England Patriots legend and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady said Wednesday that discipline and overcoming adversity are the keys to becoming a “champion in life.”

“I would encourage everyone to play football for the simple reason that it is hard,” Brady said during his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame. “It’s hard when you’re young to wake up in the offseason at 6 a.m. to go train and work out, knowing that all your friends are sleeping in and eating pancakes.”

“It’s hard when you’re on your way to practice, weighed down with all your gear, and it’s 90 degrees out, and all the other kids are at the pool or at the beach, and your body is already completely exhausted from workouts and two-a-days.”

On those days it is almost impossible to throw, catch, or block, before going home “bruised and battered” realizing that tomorrow is going to be the same, according to Brady.

“Understand this, life is hard. No matter who you are, there are bumps and hits and bruises along the way, and my advice is to prepare yourself because football lessons teach us that success and achievement come from overcoming adversity and that team accomplishment far exceeds anyone’s individual goals,” Brady said.

Being special is not a prerequisite to success, according to Brady.

“You just have to be what most people aren’t,” he said. “Consistent, determined, and willing to work for it. … No shortcuts.”

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Brady then pointed to his teammates as examples of men who have done just that.

“It would be impossible to find better examples of men who embody that work ethic, integrity, purpose, determination, and discipline that it takes to be a champion in life.”