NFL
By: Greg Rector
Tom Brady announced for the second time in two years his retirement from the NFL. This time it seems to be for real and instead of watching him play next season Brady will be seen instead on FOX covering NFL games. For 23 seasons we were treated to so many highs and lows courtesy of Tom Brady. I will just say this, thank you for the entertainment and for the privilege of watching you do things that will be awfully hard to match.
Best Of His Era
43% of Brady’s career he was able to be a major reason why his teams reached the Super Bowl. That’s an insane number to think of alone. Add in the passing yards, the touchdown passes, and all the other records accumulated during his illustrious career. As you all know I do not label anyone as a “GOAT” in Brady’s case it’s irrefutable though to say anything other than he was the best of his era. If there was a player who should have the 5 year waiting period for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame waived, there is an awfully strong case to do it for Tom Brady.
Fate
The moment that New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis hit Drew Bledsoe knocking him out of that November 19th, 2001 game against the Patriots was the moment where “FATE” intervened as Tom Brady replaced Bledsoe and became the most famous instance in sports of a player losing his job due to injury since Wally Pipp’s headache in 1925 that started Lou Gehrig’s legendary career. Fate also intervened earlier that year when the Patriots had selected Tom Brady 199th overall in the previous NFL draft from (Okay Joe I will say it) the University of Michigan. Here was a guy who was 7th on the depth chart and battled to be the starter his last two seasons in college. He was truly looked at as a developmental project who figured to be a backup quarterback at best. What unfolded of course was the demolishing of those perceptions.
The Low Point
Obviously, the losses in the Super Bowl have to stand out as the low points. Especially the loss after the 2007 season that saw the Patriots enter the Super Bowl with an opportunity to join the Miami Dolphins as the only unbeaten teams to win it all. That one really has to sting and will forever for all of those New England Patriots. The other Super Bowl defeats certainly as well were low points, but Tom Brady would continue to lead his teams back time and again to play on the game’s grandest stage. That dedication to his craft and to reaching the ultimate goal time and again in a team sport is what I will most remember Tom Brady for.
The High Point
For me, that one seems obvious, the comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl. Down 28-3 and leading his Patriots to an overtime 34-28 victory was just an amazing moment to witness. Was anyone doubting that Brady was going to do exactly as needed to pull it off? That comeback will remain with me for the rest of my days, as I’m sure it will for many millions of NFL fans.
Thank You
Simply put, just a simple thank you from this football fan. While I was never a supporter of Tom Brady the New England Patriots or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I will not deny any of the greatness that we as football fans got to witness these last 23 seasons. Leave any of those harsh feelings aside today. This is a day to say thank you for all those memories good or bad over one incredible career. I wish Tom Brady well as he moves on from the playing field and on to his career with FOX Sports.
