A Day of Mourning, Remembrance, & Celebration

February 5th, 2012

The day I fell in love with Tom Brady.  Preparing to watch Super Bowl XLVI with friends, I watched as Tom Brady emerged from the tunnel.  I said something to the effect of, "that's Jesus on a football field."  Not proud of the heretical statement, but the point stands.  Watching Tom Brady take the field that night was one of the most impactful moments in all my years of being a sports fan.  A night that ultimately ended in disappointment.  But I didn't care, I was hooked.  The Super Bowl loss to the New York Football Giants, leading to a loss to Joe Flacco in the AFC championship game during his elite run, and followed by an unbearable loss to the Peyton-led Broncos.  Three years of disappointments and my reverence for #12 did not waiver. 

At 37, the Patriots got blown out at Arrowhead in the infamous 2014 loss to the Chiefs.  On the Monday Night Football postgame coverage following the game, Trent Dilfer dubbed Brady and the Patriots "not good anymore."  The morning shows were clamoring for the end of Brady's and the Patriots' reign over the AFC and NFL.  Approaching a decade of having not won a championship since the spygate saga and nearing 40, the writing was on the wall.  "Father time is undefeated", afterall.  

It was, until it came face-to-face with Brady.  That 2014 season culminated with the destruction of the 'legion of boom" and a 4th Super Bowl ring.  His first since the 2005 season.  After turning 37, Brady went on to win 3 Super Bowls in 4 appearances from the 2014-2019 seasons.  What would have been a perfect 4, had it not been for "the greatest coach" who allowed big dick Nick to put up 41 points on Belichick's defense.  A legacy that was often tied to Belichick.  A tired sports-talk debate over who was responsible for the Patriots and Brady's success.

A friction that ultimately led to separation.  Tom ultimately departed from Belichick and the Patriots following the 2019 season to join the Buccaneers.  A team that previously went 7-9 and missed the playoffs in the 2019 season.  Fans and pundits called it a mistake, myself included.  Why the Bucs?  The season started off in embarrassing fashion.  An opening loss to the New Orleans Saints in a game which Brady forgot what down it was.  At 43-years old, and his first year without the coach who is said to be responsible for Brady's success, the rumblings started again.  Brady's time is over.  "Father time is undefeated."

At 43-years old, Tom Brady put together the greatest legacy title run in football history.  Brady and the Bucs finished the season with a record of 11-5.  2nd in the NFC South after suffering two losses to the Saints.  Setting up a wildcard matchup with my team with no name, led by the inspirational Taylor Heinecke.  A heroic effort by Heinecke that ultimately fell short.  Now the true test begins.  

Brees on the road?  Done.  Rodgers on the road? A matchup between the QB who is "more talented" in Lambeau?  Finished.  Mahomes, newly crowned as the "baby goat" in the Super Bowl?  The new age vs the old guard?  COMPLETE.  Seventh Super Bowl achieved.  Beating Brees, Rodgers, and Mahomes en route reach an unimaginable 7th Super Bowl.  At the age of 43.  We have not and will not see anything like it in football.  

But it's not the 7 rings, the 5 Super Bowl MVPs, 3 regular-season MVPs, his 35 postseason wins (more than 28 other NFL teams), his 12,720 post-season passing yards (5,381 more than 2nd-place), 85 postseason TD passes (40 more than 2nd-place), his regular season 8,856 passing yard and 78 TD pass advantage over 2nd place Drew Brees, nor his 3,039 passing yards in the Super Bowl.  

It's how he led his team to a Super Bowl as a backup QB.  How he bounced back from a soul crushing knee injury following the soul crushing 2007 finale and first MVP season, to win his second MVP two years later.  How a championship drought of 8 years only fueled the fire rather than extinguished his competitive flame.  How a witch hunt only motivated him to lead a 28-3 comeback in the Super Bowl just to spite Roger Goodell.  How a division in New England led him to break away and flourish on his own down south.  How HE managed to keep a championship window that spanned 23-years open in the NFL.  How at 45-years old, in a league with the talents of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert, Brady led the NFL in both passing attempts and completions.  Two NFL records set by a 45-year old QB in his 23rd year.  Father time has been defeated.

February 1st, 2023.  

After 23-years in the game and collecting 7 Super Bowls, 5 Super Bowl MVPs, and 3- MVPs, the 45-year old has announced his second retirement from professional football.  Tom was not able to achieve perfection in 2007, but Brady reached heights that will be insurmountable and a legacy that will stand the test of time.   A career that is unimaginable for any player, let alone a former 6th-round pick.   

Although he won't be on the field, Brady will still be a part of the greatest show on turf.  He signed a 10-year $375 million contract with Fox Sports following his first retirement last year.  And who knows, he may add a fourth Hall of Fame career to his name with his role in broadcasting.

It was, and always will be, Tommy time.