The Pittsburgh Penguins center, who turns 32 on Aug. 7, told The Athletic in remarks published Wednesday that he is not only struck by how the NFL quarterback and tennis player continue to perform at a high level, but that he tries to apply aspects of each player's late-career success to his own game.
Brady, who turns 42 on Aug. 3, set a record by winning his sixth Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in February. Federer, who has won a record 20 Grand Slam tennis titles and turns 38 on Aug. 8, lost to 32-year-old Novak Djokovic on Sunday in the longest Wimbledon final in history (4 hours, 57 minutes).
"To know they're still doing that is impressive," Crosby told the website. "I love to just witness that kind of stuff.
"I mean, I'm not comparing myself to those guys, because they're in their own league. But I think as an athlete you try to learn from other athletes, and I think that's inspiring to see that."
Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup winner (2008, 2016, 2017), had 100 points (35 goals, 65 assists) last season, his most since scoring 104 points in 2013-14. He finished second to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov in voting for the Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL MVP, which he has won twice (2007, 2014). But the Penguins were swept by the New York Islanders in the Eastern Conference First Round.
Asked what specifically he can take from Brady or Federer, Crosby mentioned their mentality and ability to change with the times.
"I'm sure the game is much different than maybe it was 10 years ago for a Tom Brady as far as what he sees and reads and maybe how he prepares," Crosby said. "But he's continued to evolve. The details don't become any less important.
"The game around you changes and things may have to adjust, but those details, that work ethic, the preparation and all that stuff, it doesn't change."
