Who is athlete Tom Brady?
Tom Brady, whose full name is Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., is an American former professional football quarterback. Born on August 3, 1977, in San Francisco, California, he played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Brady won seven Super Bowls, more than any individual player, and earned multiple league and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards.
Background/biography
Brady was raised in San Mateo, California, by his parents, Galynn Patricia Brady and Thomas Brady Sr. He is the youngest of four children and has three older sisters. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he followed local professional teams and was a fan of the San Francisco 49ers.
He attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, where he played football and baseball. Brady was also selected by the Montreal Expos in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft, but chose to pursue college football instead.
Brady attended the University of Michigan, where he played for the Michigan Wolverines. He initially spent time as a backup quarterback before becoming the team’s starter during his later college seasons. His performances helped Michigan win the Orange Bowl following the 1999 season, and he entered the NFL Draft in 2000.
NFL career and achievements
- Selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, with the 199th overall pick.
- Won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.
- Won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after joining the team in 2020.
- Named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player five times.
- Won multiple NFL Most Valuable Player awards during his career.
- Led the Patriots to a 16-0 regular-season record in 2007.
- Retired from professional football after the 2022 NFL season.
Brady became the Patriots’ starting quarterback during the 2001 season after Drew Bledsoe was injured. He led the team to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVI and helped establish one of the most successful periods in modern NFL history under head coach Bill Belichick.
During his two decades in New England, Brady led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances and six championships. In 2020, he signed with the Buccaneers and won a championship in his first season with the team. He finished his NFL playing career holding or sharing numerous major passing records, including records for career passing yards, touchdown passes, and Super Bowl victories.
A career defined by longevity and postseason success
One of the most notable aspects of Brady’s career was his longevity. He played quarterback in the NFL into his mid-40s, an uncommon achievement at a position that faces frequent physical contact and demands sustained performance.
His postseason record also became a central part of his public legacy. Brady appeared in 10 Super Bowls, winning seven of them, while playing for two franchises. His teams were regularly contenders during his years as a starter, particularly in the AFC with New England.
Fun facts about Tom Brady
- Brady was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft before choosing football.
- He was selected 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, a draft position that later became closely associated with his rise from backup quarterback to NFL star.
- He played college football at the University of Michigan before entering the NFL.
- Brady wore jersey number 12 for both the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- He won Super Bowls with two different NFL franchises: the Patriots and Buccaneers.
