Tom Brady turns 42 on Aug. 3. The New England Patriots’ legendary quarterback continues to amaze. Here’s 42 ways in which his life and career have been remarkable.
42. He was drafted by the Expos
Tom Brady was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round (507th pick overall) of the 1995 MLB Draft. In two varsity seasons for Junipero Serra HS, Brady hit .311 with eight homers.
41. He was accurate in college
Tom Brady threw 638 passes for Michigan, completed 61.9 percent for 4,773 yards.
40. Can laugh at himself
He was able to poke fun at himself for the photos that left a permanent image with everyone of his time at the Combine.
39. 16 seasons with double-digit wins
Brady specializes in finishing his season with 10 or more wins. He will be aiming for No. 17 in 2019.
38. He has caught 3 passes for 36 yards
There was a pretty long gap between his first and second catch: 2001 and ’15. The first went for 23, the second 36 and the third, in 2018, only for six.
37. His most TD passes in one game
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Brady has thrown six TD passes in a game twice. He lit up the Dolphins for a half-dozen in 2007 and three days short of two years later, he torched the Titans for six. And since it is his 42nd birthday, let’s remember 6 X 6 plus 6 PATS = 42.
36. Gisele
Tom and Gisele make for one powerful couple on multiple platforms.
35. He was present at ‘The Catch’
Tom Brady was one of the 60,000-plus in attendance at the 1981 NFC Championship. Brady witnessed Joe Montana connect with Dwight Clark for “The Catch.”
34. His uncle was a POW
Michael Buckley Jr. was the first American prisoner of war during World War II. What does this have to do with Tom Brady? Buckley Jr. was Brady’s great uncle and lived until he was 104.
33. 500 plus yards
The Patriots opened the 2011 season at Miami on Monday Night Football. Brady connected on 32-of-48 passes, amassed a passer rating of 121.6, and finished the night with 517 passing yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in a 38-24 New England victory.
32. He has been sacked 473 times and …
That’s a lot of bruises …
31. … another 66 times in the postseason
and a lot of aches and pains
30. 18 straight seasons of 60% or better completions
He is one of the more accurate passers in NFL history, finding his receivers at a better than 60 percent rate for 18 straight seasons. Overall, Brady has completed 64 percent of his passes. His playoff rate is incredibly as comparable, checking in at 63.2 percent
29. Led league in passing yardage 3 times
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Brady led the league in 2005, ’07 and ’17. In those three seasons, respectively, he threw for 4,110, 4.806 and 4,577 yards.
28. Led league in completion percentage once
While he is accurate, he has led the league in percentage only once, in 2007 when he completed 68.9 percent of his throws.
27. He threw 5 TD passes in one quarter
Brady threw five touchdown passes in one quarter in 2009 against the Titans. He hit Randy Moss twice, Wes Welker twice and Kevin Faulk in the second quarter of a 59-0 victory.
26. He threw a TD pass on a play that went 99 yards
Brady found Welker from his own 1-yard line against the Dolphins and the play went 99 yards.
25. 35 comebacks
Brady has led the Pats from behind in the fourth quarter 35 times. Don’t believe it? Click here.
24. 44 game-winning drives
Overall, Brady has 44 drives that are considered “game-winning” drives. You can see each one by clicking here, too.
23. Comeback Player of the Year: 2009
Tom Brady’s play in 2009, after missing all but the first quarter of 2008 with a left knee injury, earned him the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Brady led New England to a 10-6 record and the AFC East title. He threw for 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns.
22. His first comeback victory
On Oct. 14, 2001, against the San Diego Chargers in Week 5, the Pats trailed 26-16 in the fourth quarter. Brady took charge and led New England to a 29-26 victory in overtime.
21. Beating Broncos
On Nov. 24, 2013 — the No. 24 is important — as Brady saw his team fall behind by 24-0 against Peyton Manning and the Bronco. Mattered not to Brady, whose 344-yard and three-touchdown performance, led the Pats to an improbable 34-31 come-from-behind victory.
20. A fashion maven
“Men always want and love when women wear tight and fitted clothing, right? And you’re like, ‘Wow, she looks so beautiful.’ And then you have men who dress like slobs, and you’re like, ‘What’s the deal with these big and baggy suits?’ It’s pretty ridiculous.” — Tom Brady
19. Tom and Bill
Brady and head coach Bill Belichick have combined to be the most successful tandem in NFL history, reaching a record nine Super Bowls and 13 AFC Championship Games.
18. Who’s No. 1?
Brady has more playoff touchdown passes (73) than No. 1 picks David Carr (65) and Tim Couch (64) had in their entire NFL careers.
17. His comfort zone
“I’m much more comfortable and confident running out on the field in front of 70,000 people instead of standing in front of a camera trying to say some lines. The people who do that as a profession are very talented because it’s certainly not easy.” — Tom Brady
16. On the Pats
“I don’t really care how the Patriots are perceived, truthfully. I really don’t. I really don’t. Look, if you’re a fan of our team, you root for us, you believe in our team, and you believe in what we’re trying to accomplish. If you’re not a fan of us, you have a different opinion.” — Tom Brady
15. Cleans up nicely
When your wife is a supermodel, it is expected you will have some kind of style. Brady, however, doesn’t just touch it he wears it, over and over and is proud of his look.
14. Won’t need insurance
As the picks went by in 2000, Michigan quarterback Tom Brady had concerns. When he was finally drafted in the sixth round, he said he was grateful that he didn’t “have to be an insurance salesman.”
13. Dr. in his house
Dr. Dre spent $40 million to buy the Brady family mansion in California in 2014.
12. The perfect spokesman
For someone who always seems to deliver the biggest performances on time, it is fitting Brady is in partnership with Swiss luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen. “I’ve been collecting watches for 22 years. And yes, it could be a very expensive habit. But it’s very fun and I have an appreciation of the beauty of it. I’m just learning more all the time,” he told WWD.
11. Three-time league MVP
Brady was named the league MVP in 2007, ’10 and ’17.
10. Four-time Super Bowl MVP
Brady has won six Super Bowls but was MVP four times. Julian Edelman and Deion Branch, were the MVPs, in the other victories. Of course, they had to depend on Brady finding them to earn the honors.
9. He can punt, too
Elsa/Getty Images
Brady has three career punts. In 2003, he had a 36-yard punt against Miami. Then, in 2012 he had a 48-yard punt in a divisional round playoff game against Denver. His most recent punt (a 32-yarder) came in 2013 in a regular- season game against Buffalo.
8. Adores his family, especially mom
His words speak for him.
7. Players of the Month
Tom Brady has been the AFC Player of the Month 10 times, which puts him the top spot in the league. He passed Peyton Manning when he won the award for the ninth time in 2016.
6. Great on Instagram
Now this is called having fun.
5. A perfect 10 .. for starters
Brady started his career with a 10-0 playoff record.
4. His playoff percentage as a starter: .750
How about going 30-10 in the playoffs? That’s excellence.
3. He finally cracked 1,000 yards rushing
There were a lot of jokes in 2018 when Brady finally cracked the 1,000-yard mark in career rushing. He uses his arm far more than his legs.
2. Last remaining player from the 2000 Draft
With the retirement of Sebastian Janikowski, Brady is the last player left from the 2000 NFL Draft. What happened to the others? Click here.
1. He has six Super Bowl rings
Happy 42nd birthday to No. 12, Tom Brady.
