New England Patriots franchise quarterback Tom Brady achieved a lot in his career not just for himself but for the team as well, that is why he feels like a "Bostonian."

In a report by Boston.com, Brady was asked following Thursday's practice if he considers himself as one of the region's best sporting icons and he answered, "I think I'm still in the middle of things and I still feel like I have a lot more football left."

The 38-year-old quarterback then continued, "So, I don't think about those things too often. I think those guys are in a different category. I certainly looked up to a lot of heroes of mine being in California. And obviously, Larry Bird was so spectacular, so being here for a long time, absolutely, I feel like I'm a Bostonian."

According to the report, Brady also said he was not on the level of former Boston Celtic Larry Bird and former Boston Bruin Bobby Orr, to whom he was aligned. 

Bird is a three-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion with the Celtics, while Orr is a two-time Stanley Cup winner in the National Hockey League (NHL). 

Despite Brady remaining humble, what he is trying to go for this Sunday is already a record as the Patriots try to again become the American Football Conference (AFC) Champions. 

Sunday's AFC Championship Game versus the Denver Broncos is already the tenth in Brady's illustrious career in the NFL. 

If New England can defend its conference title this Sunday, Brady advances to the Super Bowl and eyes his fifth championship in a 15-year career all played with the Patriots. 

Brady already won four Super Bowl trophies for New England and is also a three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP). 

Now may not be the time, but soon, Brady will be aligned with the likes of Bird and Orr as the greatest athletes to represent the region.