BROWERVILLE, Minn. (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Tom Brady is a handsome, sophisticated Californian. But part of what makes him so all-American is the time he spent in Browerville, Minnesota.
This little town of 750 sits about two hours from Minneapolis. It is the hometown of his mother, Galynn. She became a flight attendant for TWA then met Tom Brady, Sr., and the rest is history.
They raised their four kids in California, but often, she brought her kids to Minnesota on vacations. Here he played whiffle ball, swam in a creek and often fished. Among the family's favorite activities were fish fries.
"I guess I'll have to prepare his fish a little differently next time," mused Brady's cousin, Paul Johnson.
He can't imagine why anybody wouldn't like his cousin whom he calls "Tommy."
"He's the nicest guy in the world," he told NEWS CENTER Maine. "The whole family is. They all are. They never say a bad word about anyone."
Much of Minnesota is pretty upset with how some Philadelphia fans treated Vikings fans after the NFC Championship Game.
"I hope it's the biggest blowout ever!" said Johnson, who has converted a good-size room into a home theater where family can gather to watch Tom's exploits surrounded by memorabilia celebrating his achievements.