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Meet Maya Brady, UCLA softball star and Tom's niece! She calls 'Uncle Tommy' a father figure - but dreams of outshining him at the 2028 Olympics!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the Brady family. And while Tom might be the most famous name, his niece Maya is enjoying her own time in the spotlight with the College Softball World Series underway.
Shortstop Maya is one of the game's brightest prospects, underlined by her performance in UCLA's 4-1 win over Alabama on Thursday, where she scored a run. They return to action Saturday against Oklahoma.
Tom regularly posts about Maya on his Instagram, congratulating her for her victories and will now be her most famous fan when she takes to the field on Saturday.
'Even though I don't mind being known as Tom Brady's niece, at the end of the day I would love to just be known as Maya Brady,' she said in an interview with Togethxr in 2021, where affectionately referred to him as 'Uncle Tommy'.
Maya, who turns 23 on Saturday, was born in San Mateo, California, and was named Softball America Freshman of the Year in 2020.
Maya Brady is competing for UCLA in the ongoing College Softball World Series
Brady comes from an elite sporting background - her uncle is none other than Tom Brady
Brady, who turns 23 on Saturday, wants to be known for her own success in her sport
She was born to Maureen Brady - Tom's sister - and Brian Timmons and while Tom is most significant person with sporting pedigree that she takes after, he is not the only one.
Her mother was an All-American pitcher at Fresno State and Maya's aunt, Julie Brady, is married to 2x World Series winner Kevin Youkilis - who won both of his titles with the Boston Red Sox.
And while those two are the most obvious examples of role models for her, Brady is also said to idolize Serena Williams 'because of her lion attitude and will to win.'
She told Togethxr: 'When I was 10 years old I watched UCLA in the World Series and ever since then I wanted to go the UCLA. That was the school I was going to.'
She also looks up to Amanda Lorenz, a softball star who won gold for the United States in the 2022 World Games and the 2023 Pan American Games.
Brady has made no secret of how close she is with her uncle, though. When he retired for good last February, she posted an emotional tribute to him on her Instagram.
'Watching you play football has been one of the greatest joys of my life,' she wrote.
'I can't even begin to tell you how many lunch arguments I've gotten in over the last 20 years of my life, lol.
Brady is in her fifth year at UCLA and has grand plans for life after college in the coming years
She has previously hinted that she'd like to compete for the USA at the 2028 Olympics
'The greatest to ever do it! I love you so much.'
She told Togethxr that Brady is a bigger influence on her than just an uncle.
'I would definitely consider him more of a father figure than my uncle,' she said. 'After all the critics have said about him, I've just learned from him that you don't really have to prove anything to anyone.
'He doesn't listen to people when they tell him that he's not good enough or he's too old.'
Brady, in her fifth year, is also studying hard for a master's degree in transformative coaching after earning her bachelor's degree in sociology.
For now, the studies are on hold. The world college softball series runs through to June 7 if the finals last three games.
But if all goes to plan, Maya will take her game to the ultimate sporting stage of all - and one her Uncle Tommy never got to compete on - when the Olympics arrives in Los Angeles in 2028.
'Yeah, I have definitely thought about it,' she said in an interview with UCLA Athletics in January.
'There is really nothing that you can compare to being an Olympian. I think it is the ultimate goal for every athlete, to have that Olympic status.
Maya pictured with her 'Uncle Tommy' who she has previously described as a 'father figure'
Maya, who grew up in California, is targeting the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
'It's an amazing opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think I'm definitely considering it, considering playing after this (UCLA) and expanding my time.'
In that same interview, Brady also spoke about how eye-opening it has been to explore the world of endorsements allowed through NIL deals.
She has not been as aggressive about it as athletes such as Olivia Dunne, but she has a steadily growing portfolio of endorsements with companies such as Dove and American Eagle, as well as the hotel chain Marriott Bonvoy.
She has also signed a partnership with Absolutely Ridiculous, a sporting goods brand for baseball and softball players.
What her future looks like past June is unclear, but one thing is sure - Brady is going nowhere.