Remembering Tom Brady’s NFL combine performance in 2000

Tom Brady was selected in the 2000 Draft in the sixth round as the 199th pick- the seventh quarterback to be chosen. Obviously, his potential was not visible to many at the time. He had failed to impress at the NFL Combine, which is why not many were knocking at the University of Michigan alum’s door.

No sign of things to come

The 2023 scouting combine is about to begin, and around this time of year it’s always entertaining to look back at how Brady looked like in 2000, when no one yet suspected the greatness that he would accomplish. His unpromising appearance then as a fresh-out-of-college young man gave no indication that he would one day become a seven-time Super Bowl winner and a three-time NFL MVP.

Brady’s success story is a reminder to all aspiring football players that a not-so-stellar showing in the combine is not an indication of one’s ability to make it in the NFL. So those prospects who are not the fastest, the biggest, nor the strongest have no reason to despair.

READ ALSO:

‘Lacks a really strong arm’

The now-retired quarterback himself reminds other football players that it is up to them to live up to other people’s expectations... or not. In a 2017 Instagram post, he waxed nostalgic about his experience at the start of the millennium.

“I found my combine shirt from 17 years ago and it got me thinking. This is what they said about me then..... Poor build, Skinny, Lacks great physical stature and strength, Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush, Lacks a really strong arm, Can’t drive the ball downfield, Does not throw a really tight spiral, System-type player who can get exposed if forced to ad lib, Gets knocked down easily,” he shared.

Although he was considered ‘skinny’, one thing about his physique did stand out- his height. At 6′4″, he was one of the two tallest quarterbacks that year.

Here are Tom Brady’s scores at the 2000 NFL Combine.

(Brady did not participate in the bench press, broad jump, or 60-yard shuttle.)