Tom Brady

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Lore & Background

After playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines, Brady was selected 199th overall by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, later earning him a reputation as the NFL's biggest draft steal. He became the starting quarterback during his second season, which saw the Patriots win their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVI. As the team's primary starter for 18 seasons, Brady led the Patriots to 17 division titles (including 11 consecutive from 2009 to 2019), 13 AFC Championship Games (including eight consecutive from 2011 to 2018), nine Super Bowl appearances, and six Super Bowl titles, all NFL records for a player and franchise. He joined the Buccaneers in 2020 and won Super Bowl LV, extending his individual records to 10 Super Bowl appearances and seven victories. In 2024, Brady became the lead color commentator for the NFL on Fox and a partial owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

In Their Own Story

The 2001 season marked the true beginning of the Brady–Belichick era, turning New England into a powerhouse. After starting 0–2 with Bledsoe injured in Week 2, Brady took over against the Indianapolis Colts, initiating his famous rivalry with Peyton Manning that would span 17 games and two playoff meetings. He finished the regular season 11–3 as a starter, leading the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXVI. The defining moment came when the team trailed 17–3 in the second half; Brady orchestrated a comeback to tie the game late, culminating in Vinatieri's winning kick. Years later, in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, Brady engineered another historic turnaround, scoring 31 unanswered points after falling behind 28–3 in the third quarter to win 34–28 in overtime. He set a Super Bowl record with 466 passing yards in that game and threw for 505 yards in the following year's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Reader's Guide

Brady holds many major quarterback records, including most career passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, and games started. He is the NFL leader in career quarterback wins, quarterback regular season wins, quarterback playoff wins, and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, and the only Super Bowl MVP for two different franchises. Additional accolades held by Brady include the most Pro Bowl selections and the first unanimous NFL MVP. The only quarterback to win a Super Bowl in three separate decades, Brady is also noted for the longevity of his success. He was the oldest NFL MVP at age 40, the oldest Super Bowl MVP at age 43, and the oldest quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl at age 44. Brady is the only NFL quarterback named to two all-decade teams (2000s and 2010s) and was unanimously named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.

Did You Know?

• Brady was drafted 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, earning him a reputation as the NFL's biggest draft steal.
• He is the only quarterback to win a Super Bowl in three separate decades.
• Brady was the oldest NFL MVP at age 40 and the oldest Super Bowl MVP at age 43.
• He was drafted in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB draft by the Montreal Expos.

The Draft Steal and Dynasty Builder

Bill Belichick drafted Tom Brady with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft after scouts identified him as the best fit for New England's system, despite the team already having a franchise quarterback in Drew Bledsoe. This selection proved to be the catalyst for one of sports' longest dynasties. Brady served as the primary starter for 18 seasons, leading the Patriots to 19 consecutive winning seasons and 17 division titles, which included 11 straight from 2009 to 2019. The team also secured 13 AFC Championship Game appearances during his tenure. In 2007, Brady led the squad to the league's only undefeated 16-game regular season, a feat that highlighted the team's dominance under Belichick and Brady.

Unprecedented Records and Longevity

Brady holds the record for the most Super Bowl appearances by a player (10) and is tied with Bill Belichick for the most Super Bowl victories by an individual (6). He has won five Super Bowl MVP awards, a record for any player. His career win totals are unmatched: 264 total wins, 230 regular season wins, and 34 playoff wins as a quarterback. He also holds the record for the most postseason passing yards and touchdowns. Brady's longevity allowed him to become the only player in history to win Super Bowl MVP awards with two different franchises, adding a seventh title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving New England.

The Final Chapter and New Frontiers

The Brady–Belichick era officially ended in March 2020 when Brady left the Patriots as a free agent to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There, he won his seventh Super Bowl before retiring from the sport. His departure coincided with Bill Belichick's final season as head coach of the Patriots at the end of the 2023 NFL season. Brady's exit marked the conclusion of an unprecedented run that included six championships and a cultural shift in the league known as the "Patriot Way," which emphasized personal accountability, consistent improvement, and team success over individual gain.

Roots, Rivalries, and Early Potential

Brady attended the University of Michigan, where he competed for the starting job against Brian Griese and Drew Henson. He led the Wolverines to a 10–2 record as a starter in the regular season and an overtime win over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl. Despite questions about his physical measurables and starting ability in college, he fell to the sixth round of the draft. His early NFL career was defined by his relationship with Bledsoe; when Bledsoe was injured by Mo Lewis, Brady seized the opportunity and never looked back, forming a rivalry with Peyton Manning that produced two playoff victories for New England.