Tom Brady’s career is the kind of saga that makes you wonder how one guy managed to stay relevant through multiple generations. We know he’s a love-him or hate-him kind of guy, but whether you rooted for him, booed him, or did both, he delivered a steady supply of peak moments. If you want the highlights that best explain why his name became football shorthand for greatness, these five stats oughta tell you why.
The Sixth-Round Surprise Becomes a Starter
Brady entering the league as the 199th pick is famous, but the real high is how quickly he shut down the naysayers. When he stepped in for an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001, he played like someone rearranging the depth chart. If you ever need a reminder that opportunity favors preparation, this is the case study.
A First Super Bowl Win That Set the Tone
Super Bowl XXXVI wasn’t a coronation; it was a statement that the Patriots could win under maximum pressure. Brady led a late drive and set up the winning kick, and the calmness felt almost impossible for such a young quarterback. But it was the beginning of a habit: when the game got tight, he got sharper.
The 16–0 Regular Season Run
Perfection is rare in the NFL, which is why the 2007 Patriots rolling to 16–0 still feels unreal. Brady’s connection with Randy Moss turned Sundays into endless highlight reels. Not only that, defenses looked like they were trying to solve a riddle mid-sprint.
The 28–3 Comeback in Super Bowl LI
If you want one moment that captures Brady’s legend-grade stubbornness, it’s this. Down 28–3, New England chipped away with relentless precision until the game flipped into overtime and ended with a title. You didn’t have to like the Patriots to admit it was a masterclass in refusing to take an incoming loss lying down.
Winning It All With Tampa Bay
Changing teams late in a career usually comes with a polite farewell tour, but Brady chose something else instead. He joined the Buccaneers and promptly won Super Bowl LV, becoming the first quarterback to win titles with two franchises.
