Tom Brady: Looking at the Career of One of the GOATs
Considering the career of Tom Brady, one of the NFL greats
Tom Brady, star quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has had a tremendous career so far. One of the league’s most beloved players, he is still going strong at 43 and has accumulated numerous accolades in his twenty-two years (and counting) of experience on the Grid.
Interestingly, football almost missed out completely on Brady’s grid genius. During his early years of playing the sport, he received the opportunity to play in the Major League, baseball being a sport at which he was also more than handy. Thankfully for the teams on which he’s played, and for their fans, he turned that offer down.
This post is a look at Tom Brady’s career and whether he can still be considered one of the GOATs of NFL.
Tom Brady’s college years
On the loose after graduation in 1995, Brady began to visit University of Michigan, where he continued playing football.
He didn’t really get the chance to stand out until his junior year, in which he got his start for the team. His final year would see Brady lead his university team to victory in the Orange Bowl.
Brady became recognised as a determined and intelligent player, but he still had his nay-sayers. They believed he lacked any exceptional physical ability.
Joining the Patriots
Despite some critics, the New England Patriots felt he was good enough and in 2000 they picked him in the sixth round of the NFL draft. This was the beginning of life in the NFL for Brady. The Californian would go on to prove disbelievers wrong by becoming the only player to win seven Super Bowls.
Brady spent his first season with the team trying to bulk up and he worked very hard to improve both his physique and his technique.
Brady’s big break with the Patriots
Much to the misfortune of starting quarterback for the Patriots, Drew Bledsoe, Brady would get his big break on the team. In 2001 Brady played his second season, and Bledsoe sustained a serious injury from a heavy tackle by New York Jets linebacker Moe Lewis. It was up to Brady to step into his shoes and he became the starting quarterback for every game from then on.
Brady would go on to have a terrific season and he led the team through the playoffs and to a Super Bowl win. The unlucky opponents: the St Louis Rams. The score: an unexpected 20-17. That night, Brady also became the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl.
Moving to the Buccaneers
All good things must come to an end, and after 20 years of loyal service to the Patriots, Brady moved on to pastures new with his current team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, those 20 years were enough for him to help the Patriots lift the Lombardi Trophy six times. One of these wins was also the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, with Brady leading the team from 28-3 versus the Atlanta Falcons, to 34-28 in overtime. But Brady’s move in 2020 meant it was time for this new side to enjoy the good times.
The quarterback got off to a good start, taking the team to the playoffs thanks to eleven wins in regular games. The team would go on to enjoy victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in the big game, winning 31-9 to take the Lombardi Trophy home. His impressive performances last season have ensured the Buccaneers are second-favourites at DraftKings NFL betting, to retain the trophy.
How much longer can Brady continue?
Brady has set a range of age-related records during his career, including:
The oldest player to win the NFL’s MVP award, which he did at 40
The oldest player to quarterback their team to a Super Bowl title, which he achieved at 41
The question is, how long can Brady continue playing in the NFL? No one really knows, but the signs are showing that he’s not willing to quit playing just yet. Some journalists have observed his default answer used to be he’ll keep on playing for 10 more years, but that has shifted to a specific age now: 45. Brady is set to turn 44 in August, and some in the sport have suggested he could go on playing until he’s 50. He still has two years to go on his contract, but even Brady himself has admitted playing until 50 is a bit of a stretch.
Although his throwing is slowing down a little, his arms are still reliable- and he’s definitely mastered the ability to anticipate a hit and get rid of the ball. Some coaches have mentioned that his legs are the ones to watch. If he’s unable to get away from pressure and is getting hit by players less than half his age, it’s time for him to hang up his boots. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are looking to pose a serious challenge for the Super Bowl trophy.
Earlier this year, Brady signed an extension that freed up some cash under the salary cap and helped the team retain some of their key players. It’s a fantastic gesture from one of the NFL’s greatest of all time (GOAT). Tom Brady has had a phenomenal career, supplying 20 years of loyal service to the Patriots before moving to the Buccaneers and delivering for the Tampa Bay side, too.
On the way, he’s set numerous records, and it will be interesting to see how much more success he enjoys in the future- and whether he’ll set any more. Anything can happen in the NFL.
