Parsons inspired by Brady's competitiveness: 'He looks to kill you'

Micah Parsons can't wait to face Tom Brady again.

Ahead of the Dallas Cowboys' Week 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the linebacker said Brady's competitiveness has always inspired him.

"You just see his competitive nature. He has that fire inside of him. I mean, he looks to kill you," Parsons said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "He wants to step on your throat like you're a roach. And that's what you look for in competitors. I think that's why, if you're a real competitor, you look up to Tom Brady. You look up to Kobe (Bryant), that Mamba mentality. You look up to Michael Jordan."

Parsons added: "We aspire to be that fierce or be that strong. You got to be a real strong-minded person to be who you are. And for Tom to do that in New England and do it with the Bucs, he inspires me, even though I'm on defense."

The Cowboys open their 2022 slate at home Sunday. It'll be their second meeting with the Bucs in as many seasons.

Tampa Bay edged Dallas 31-29 in 2021. Brady led the game-winning drive that ended with Bucs kicker Ryan Succop hitting the go-ahead field goal with only two seconds left. Brady, who finished second in MVP voting to Aaron Rodgers last season, is 6-0 against the Cowboys in his career.

"We got to get him out this league. He's been dominating this league too long, and he keeps coming back," Parsons jokingly said about the seven-time Super Bowl champion, who retired in February but returned after 40 days.

"It's a blessing to still be able to play him."

Parsons, a first-round pick last year, made his official NFL debut versus the Buccaneers. He didn't sack Brady, though he finished the night with seven tackles, one quarterback hit, and one pass breakup.

The 23-year-old heads into his second pro season with sky-high expectations after earning an All-Pro berth and claiming the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.