The AFC Championship pre-game talk mostly focused on the idea of rivalry, but C.J. Anderson has great admiration for Tom Brady.
In an honest and heartfelt Instagram post, the running back posted a picture of himself with Brady and shared the message Brady had for him after the game.
"I know a lot of people hate this man but man when he was pick 199 and was over look he inspired me I was undrafted and over came all the odds so bless what he told me at the end of this game. He said "CJ way to fight and prove everybody wrong you belong in this league and your one hell of a player I love the way you run keep climbing to be great" those words meant so much growing up watching Tom overcame I'm proud to say I'm 3-2 vs his teams and proud to say I get to battle him every year. Thanks Tom for telling me those words they will stick and I know a lot of people don't like you but I have MAD RESPECT. Thanks I see you overcome as others in this league and now it's my turn."
Anderson had 72 rushing yards in the game. Denver won 20-18.
Peyton Manning, Patriots Coach Bill Bilicick and Brady repeatedly shared their respect for one another in press conferences before the game.
The year not done but pretty amazing that Kobe and Tom Brady told me something special this year words I'll never 4get ????
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) January 26, 2016