Brady, Tom

▪ 2005

      Tom Brady, the quarterback of the New England Patriots, would probably not be rated the best passer in the National Football League (NFL). He certainly was not the most mobile quarterback in the league, and he did not have the strongest arm. In 2004, however, Brady showed that he was the best NFL quarterback in one very important category—winning. The Patriots ended the 2003–04 season with a 15-game winning streak that was capped off with a 32–29 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004. Brady, who completed 32 of 48 pass attempts for 354 yd and three touchdowns, was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time in his career.

      Brady and the Patriots continued their winning ways in the 2004–05 season, collecting victories in their first six games. Their streak of 21 consecutive wins, which was ended by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 31, 2004, shattered the previous record of 18 games set by the 1972–73 Miami Dolphins. The Patriots also set a NFL record for consecutive regular-season victories with a total of 18. Although one player could not take credit for such a long winning streak, the professionalism and determination of the Patriots seemed to be perfectly reflected in their young quarterback.

      Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., was born on Aug. 3, 1977, in San Mateo, Calif. The 2-m (6-ft 4-in)-tall signal caller enjoyed a solid career at the University of Michigan, where he developed a reputation as an intelligent and determined player but one who lacked any exceptional physical skills. Selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, Brady worked hard in his rookie season to master the offensive playbook, to bulk up physically, and to improve his strength and technique. When the Patriots star quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, went down with an injury in the second game of the 2001 season, Brady was named the new starter, an opportunity that he seized. His play was not spectacular, but he was steady, making the simple plays and minimizing his mistakes. The team seemed to gain confidence from his cool-headed leadership and went on to post an 11–3 record. The momentum carried on through the play-offs, where Brady won his first Super Bowl MVP as the team scored a dramatic upset over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. In the following seasons, Brady built his reputation as a smart quarterback who consistently made plays that would win games. During his first three seasons as the starting quarterback, the Patriots became one of the NFL's elite teams, posting a 40–12 record.

James Hennelly

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▪ American athlete

in full  Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. 

born Aug. 3, 1977, San Mateo, Calif., U.S.

 

 American collegiate and professional gridiron football (football, gridiron) quarterback, who led the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) to three Super Bowl victories (2002, 2004, 2005) and was twice named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP; 2002, 2004).

      While growing up, Brady often attended San Francisco 49ers games to watch the legendary quarterback Joe Montana (Montana, Joe)—Brady's idol and the man to whom he would eventually be compared—play during the 1980s. In high school Brady excelled in both football and baseball. He entered the major league baseball draft in 1995 and was picked by the Montreal Expos, but he decided instead to attend the University of Michigan and play football. Brady, who did not start until his junior year, led Michigan to victory in the 1999 Orange Bowl and gained a reputation as a determined and intelligent player but one who lacked any exceptional physical skills. In 2000 he was chosen in the sixth round of the NFL draft by New England, and he worked diligently during his first season to bulk up physically and improve his strength and technique.

      In the second game of the 2001 season, the Patriots' starting quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, was injured, and Brady was chosen to fill the position. His play was not spectacular, but he was consistent, making simple plays and minimizing mistakes. With Brady as their starting quarterback, the Patriots went on to post an 11–3 record in the regular season and to upset the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI; Brady was named the Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots became one of the NFL's elite teams, posting an incredible 40–12 record during Brady's first three seasons. In 2004 the team returned to the Super Bowl, defeating the Carolina Panthers and earning Brady another Super Bowl MVP award. The momentum carried through to the 2004–05 season, as the Patriots extended their consecutive win streak to 21, breaking the record of 18 set by the Miami Dolphins in 1972–73. Brady and the Patriots capped off the season with their third Super Bowl in four years, this time against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the 2007–08 season Brady threw a record 50 touchdown passes, and he led New England to the first 16–0 regular season in NFL history. However, the Patriots lost to the underdog New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. In the first game of the 2008–09 NFL schedule, Brady suffered a severe knee injury that required season-ending surgery. While not the strongest or the quickest quarterback in the NFL, Brady established himself among the game's greats for his tenacity, his intelligent playmaking abilities, and the remarkable leadership he provided under pressure.

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