Tom Brady can flash that fourth Super Bowl ring all he wants, it’s still not enough for him to escape Joe Montana’s shadow.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Super Bowl 50 Golden Team was announced on Thursday. It was Montana, not Brady, who was selected to line up under center.

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No, that had nothing to do with the words “Pro Football Hall of Fame.” As you’ll notice, Ray Lewis -- who isn’t eligible for enshrinement until 2018 -- managed to make the cut. This has more to do with the myth of Montana’s unblemished record in the Super Bowl.

Somehow, losing in the Super Bowl is more damaging to your legacy than losing in the NFC Championship game. The fact that Brady was good enough to make it farther in the playoffs two more times than Montana holds no bearing.

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That, at least, is the perception. The only way for Brady to change that is by doing something no other QB ever has.

Delivering ring No. 5.

It won’t happen this year, though. The Patriots QB was sent packing by Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the AFC Championship game. Unlike his arch rival, however, Brady is showing no signs of slowing down.

He'll be back in 2016. As he is every year -- especially in the joke that is the AFC East -- Brady will be favored to return to football’s biggest stage.

He just has to find a way to deliver.

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