This Sunday, the second most important day in the lives of Americansfootball fans everywhere is a showdown of the best teams and best players from the NFC and the AFC. It’s near impossible to predict the outcomes of such high-intensity games when all teams are incredibly skilled and talented.

In preparation for these games, let’s examine some of these “top players.”

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Carson Palmer — 2003 Draft Round One, First Overall

Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton- 2011 Draft Round One, First Overall

Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning-1998 Draft Round One, First Overall

Sensing a theme? Let’s continue

New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady-2000 Draft Round Six, 199th Overall

Wait…WHAT? Can this be true? How dare he! How dare the 199th pick of the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft win four Superbowls, three Superbowl MVP’s, two NFL MVP’s, six AFC championships and eleven Pro-Bowl Selections!

What’s that you say? Most of Tom’s co-conspirators weren’t even first round picks either?

But, what about Iron Man Rob Gronkowski?

Only the forty-second pick of the second round? But he’s the best tight end in the league!

You can’t tell me Julian “Incredelman” Edelman wasn’t at the top of the wolf pack.

Seventh round? Pick number 232?! This insanity must end.

OK, OK here’s an easy one. Danny Amendola If they didn’t pick him for his skills they would’ve been picked for his looks.

Undrafted? Free Agent? What do these words even mean in high-level sports? You mean he went from being an undesired football player to the most desired man in New England?

God Bless America.

But what about the other greats? Stephen Gostkowski? Jamie Collins? Malcolm Butler?

None. None of them were first round picks? This is an outrage!

So what do the Patriots teach us? That you can actually achieve success even if you’re not given a fair shot at first?

Why , yes. That’s exactly what the New England Patriots can teach all of us. Coming from a city built by underdogs, the Patriots don’t believe in the number given to upcoming athletes each spring. They believe the only number that truly matters is the one on their jerseys when they step on the field to represent not only themselves but an entire nation. And that’s a lesson we can all learn.

Maybe you didn’t get into your dream school.

Maybe you didn’t get recruited by the college coaches.

Maybe you didn’t get interviewed for the job.

Maybe, you weren’t number one.

None of these things matter. Anything can happen, if you put in the work, heart and dedication.

We can’t all be number one.

But we can be number 199.

Go Pats!