Meet Maya Brady, UCLA softball star and Tom's niece! She considers "Uncle Tommy" a father figure

Maya Brady wants to step out of the shadow of her “Uncle Tommy”
Incredibly, Tom Brady isn’t the only big sports star she’s linked to.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the Brady family. And while Tom may be the most famous name, his niece Maya is enjoying her time in the spotlight with the College Softball World Series underway.

Shortstop Maya is one of the game’s brightest prospects, highlighted 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 on her wins and will now be her most famous fan when she takes the field on Saturday.

“While I don’t mind being known as Tom Brady’s niece, at the end of the day I would just like to be known as Maya Brady,” she said in an interview with Togethxr in 2021, where she affectionately called him “Uncle Tommy.

Maya, who turns 23 on Saturday, was born in San Mateo, California, and was named Softball America’s 2020 Freshman of the Year.

Maya Brady competes for UCLA in the ongoing College Softball World Series

Brady comes from an elite sporting background – his uncle is none other than Tom Brady

Brady, who turns 23 on Saturday, wants to be known for her own success in her sport

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She was born to Maureen Brady – Tom’s sister – and Brian Timmons and although Tom is the most important person with a sporting pedigree that she considers, 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 two-time World Series winner Kevin Youkilis – who won both of his titles with the Boston Red Sox.

And while those two are the most obvious role models for her, Brady also reportedly idolizes Serena Williams “because of her lion-like 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 to UCLA. This was the school I was going to attend.

She also admires Amanda Lorenz, a softball star who won gold for the United States at the 2022 World Games and the 2023 Pan American Games.

Brady, however, has made no secret of how close she is to her uncle. When he retired for good last February, she paid him a moving tribute 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 fights I’ve had over the last 20 years of my life, lol.

Brady is in his fifth year at UCLA and has big plans for his life after college in the years to come.

She has previously hinted that she would like to compete for the United States in the 2028 Olympics.

“Best ever!” I love you so much.’

She told Togetherhxr that Brady had 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 criticism that has been said about him, I just learned from him that you don’t really need to prove anything to anyone.

“He doesn’t listen to people when they tell him he’s not good enough or that he’s too old.”

Brady, in his fifth year, is also studying hard to earn a master’s degree in transformative coaching after earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology.

For the moment, studies are suspended. The College Softball World Series will continue through June 7 with the finals lasting three games.

But if all goes as planned, Maya will take her game to the ultimate sporting stage – and the one her uncle Tommy was never able to compete on – when the Olympics come to Los Angeles in 2028.

“Yeah, I definitely thought about it,” she said in an interview with UCLA Athletics in January.

“There really is nothing like being an Olympian. I think that’s the ultimate goal of 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, aims for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

“It’s an incredible opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think I’m really thinking about it, I’m considering playing after that (UCLA) and expanding my time.

In that same interview, Brady also talked about how eye-opening it was to explore the world of riders allowed under NIL agreements.

She hasn’t been as aggressive about it as athletes like Olivia Dunne, but she has a steadily growing endorsement portfolio from companies like Dove and American Eagle, as well as the Marriott Bonvoy hotel chain.

She also signed a partnership with Absolutely Ridiculous, a sporting goods brand aimed at baseball and softball players.

What his future will look like after June is unclear, but one thing is for sure: Brady isn’t going anywhere.