Tom Brady retires: key moments in Patriots, Bucs star's NFL career
After a 22-year NFL career with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seven-time Super Bowl winner and three-time MVP Tom Brady has announced his retirement.
Turbulent beginnings
Tom Brady was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 draft (199th overall pick). The Michigan product was seen as a player who could well struggle in the NFL. In the 22 years that followed, the quarterback would go on to show
The moment that changed the NFL
In the second game of the 2001 season, the Jets’ Mo Wilson injured the Patriots’ then-first-choice quarterback Drew Bledsoe. What seemed like the end of New England’s hopes was in fact the beginning of an illustrious career.
The legend begins
With Bledsoe sidelined, Brady’s emergence as the Patriots’ starting QB culminated in victory for the Patriots at Super Bowl XXXVI. Adam Vinatieri’s late field goal earned New England a 20-17 victory over the St Louis Rams.
The second ring in Brady’s collection
After missing out on the Playoffs in the 2002 season, the Patriots returned to the postseason in 2003 and secured another Super Bowl win, this time over the Carolina Panthers.
Into the history books
With victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl XXXIX, the Patriots became the first franchise to claim back-to-back NFL championships since the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998, and the first team to win three titles in four years since the Dallas
MVP for the first time
At the end of the 2007 season, Brady’s performances saw him scoop his first MVP award. In total that year, he threw for 398 passes, 4,806 yards, 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Giants put paid to Patriots
In the 2007 season, the Patriots came within one win of being only the second undefeated NFL champion in history, but were denied by the New York Giants of Eli Manning. In 2011, New York again beat New England at the Super Bowl.
MVP again
In 2010, three years on from Super Bowl XLII and after a couple of years struggling with a knee injury that kept him out for a season, Brady won his second MVP award. On this occasion, he threw for 324 passes, 3,900 yards, 36 touchdowns and four intercept
Return to the summit
In 2014, after a 10-year wait for another Super Bowl triumph, the Patriots overcame Russell Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks in the 49th edition of the showpiece game. Malcom Butler’s late interception sealed New England’s win.
Historic comeback
The Patriots found themselves 25 points down to the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI, but, thanks to an incredible display by Brady, Bill Belichick's men came back to win their fifth NFL title, triumphing 34-28 in Houston.
A third MVP award
In the 2017 season, a decade on from his first MVP, Brady collected the accolade for the third time, having thrown for 385 passes, 4,577 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The dynasty’s final chapter
In 2018, Brady appeared in the Super Bowl for the ninth time and, in a superb defensive performance, the Patriots claimed their sixth title, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 41-33.
From the cold of Massachusetts to the heat of Florida
In 2020, after 20 seasons with the Patriots, Brady left for the Buccaneers as a free agent, having been persuaded to join the Tampa Bay project by the presence of head coach Bruce Arians and the team’s offensive prowess.
Brady’s final Super Bowl
In his first year with the Buccaneers, Brady led the team to the Super Bowl, Tampa Bay beating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs became the first team ever to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at its home stadium.
Back home
In October 2021, Brady returned to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots, playing his part in the Buccaneers' 19-17 win at the arena he had called home for 20 years.