Tom Brady Timeline

(2000 - 2023)

Tom Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Drafted 199th overall by the New England Patriots in 2000, he defied expectations to win six Super Bowls over two decades in New England, then added a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 2023. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and College

Born in San Mateo, California

Aug 3, 1977

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. was born in San Mateo, California, the only son and fourth child of Galynn Patricia and Thomas Brady Sr. He grew up attending San Francisco 49ers games, where he idolized quarterback Joe Montana.

Image source: Tom Brady

Drafted by Montreal Expos in MLB draft

Jun 1995

Brady was drafted by the Montreal Expos as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft, but he chose to pursue college football instead, playing at the University of Michigan.

Becomes starting quarterback at Michigan

Sep 12, 1998

After two seasons as a backup, Brady won the starting job at the University of Michigan. He led the Wolverines to a 10-3 season in 1998 and capped his college career with an Orange Bowl victory over Alabama in January 2000.

Marries supermodel Gisele Bündchen

Feb 26, 2009

Brady married Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen in a small Catholic ceremony in Santa Monica, California. The couple had two children together before divorcing in 2022.

Image source: Gisele Bündchen

Patriots Dynasty

Drafted by New England Patriots in sixth round

Apr 15, 2000

Brady was selected by the New England Patriots with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, a pick widely regarded as one of the greatest steals in sports history.

Image source: 2000 NFL draft

Becomes Patriots starting quarterback

Sep 23, 2001

Brady took over as starter after Drew Bledsoe was injured against the New York Jets. He never relinquished the job, leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.

Image source: 2001 New England Patriots season

Perfect regular season at 16-0

Dec 29, 2007

Brady threw a then-record 50 touchdown passes while leading the Patriots to the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history during the 2007 season.

Image source: 2007 New England Patriots season

Loses perfect season bid in Super Bowl XLII

Feb 3, 2008

The Giants' David Tyree made his famous helmet catch as New York stunned the previously undefeated Patriots 17-14, denying Brady and New England a perfect championship season.

Image source: Super Bowl XLII

Suffers season-ending knee injury

Sep 7, 2008

Brady tore his ACL and MCL in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs after being hit by Bernard Pollard, missing the entire 2008 season.

Returns from injury and wins Comeback Player of the Year

Sep 13, 2009

Brady returned from his knee injury and threw for 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns, earning AP Comeback Player of the Year honors.

Signs record contract extension with Patriots

Sep 10, 2010

Brady signed a four-year, $72 million extension that made him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, reaffirming his commitment to New England through 2014.

Throws record 50 touchdowns in 2010 MVP season

Jan 2, 2011

Brady threw 36 touchdowns without an interception over the final stretch of the 2010 season, winning his second unanimous MVP award as the Patriots went 14-2.

Image source: 2010 NFL season

Loses Super Bowl XLVI to Giants

Feb 5, 2012

Eli Manning and the Giants again defeated Brady's Patriots, this time 21-17, in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII.

Image source: Super Bowl XLVI

Deflategate scandal begins

Jan 18, 2015

Following the AFC Championship Game win over the Colts, allegations surfaced that the Patriots had used underinflated footballs, triggering a league investigation that would dominate headlines for years.

Image source: Deflategate

Suspension upheld in Deflategate case

Jul 28, 2015

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld Brady's four-game suspension for his alleged role in Deflategate after an appeal, though Brady continued fighting the decision in court.

Serves four-game suspension to start 2016 season

Sep 11, 2016 - Oct 2, 2016

After exhausting legal appeals, Brady served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2016 season. The Patriots went 3-1 without him, and he returned to lead them to another Super Bowl.

Wins third regular-season MVP award

Feb 3, 2018

At age 40, Brady won his third MVP award after throwing for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns during the 2017 season, becoming the oldest MVP winner in NFL history at the time.

Super Bowl Victories

Wins first Super Bowl (XXXVI)

Feb 3, 2002

In just his second season, Brady led the Patriots to an upset victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal sealed a 20-17 win, and Brady was named Super Bowl MVP.

Image source: Super Bowl XXXVI

Wins second Super Bowl (XXXVIII)

Feb 1, 2004

Brady earned his second Super Bowl MVP as the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29 on another last-second Vinatieri field goal, cementing New England's status as a dynasty.

Image source: Super Bowl XXXVIII

Wins third Super Bowl (XXXIX)

Feb 6, 2005

The Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 to win their third Super Bowl in four years, becoming the first team since the Dallas Cowboys to win three titles in four seasons.

Image source: Super Bowl XXXIX

Wins fourth Super Bowl (XLIX)

Feb 1, 2015

Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception sealed a 28-24 comeback win over the Seattle Seahawks, giving Brady his fourth Super Bowl title and third Super Bowl MVP.

Image source: Super Bowl XLIX

Historic comeback win in Super Bowl LI

Feb 5, 2017

Brady led the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, erasing a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to force the first overtime in Super Bowl history and win 34-28, earning his fourth Super Bowl MVP.

Image source: Super Bowl LI

Wins fifth Super Bowl ring ceremony and ESPY recognition

Jul 12, 2017

Fresh off his fifth championship, Brady received widespread accolades including Best Male Athlete and Best NFL Player at the ESPY Awards, solidifying his place among the greatest athletes ever.

Wins sixth Super Bowl (LIII)

Feb 3, 2019

The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever, giving Brady his sixth championship — the most by any player in NFL history at that time.

Image source: Super Bowl LIII

Wins seventh Super Bowl (LV) with Buccaneers

Feb 7, 2021

In his first season in Tampa Bay, Brady led the Buccaneers to a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, winning his seventh title and fifth Super Bowl MVP in his home stadium.

Image source: Super Bowl LV

Buccaneers Era

Announces departure from Patriots

Mar 17, 2020

After 20 seasons and six championships in New England, Brady announced he would leave the Patriots, ending one of the most storied player-franchise partnerships in sports history.

Signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mar 20, 2020

Brady signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joining a franchise that had not made the playoffs since 2007.

Briefly announces retirement

Feb 1, 2022 - Mar 13, 2022

Brady announced his retirement after 22 seasons, but reversed course just weeks later, announcing he would return to the Buccaneers for the 2022 season.

Final NFL season with Buccaneers

Sep 11, 2022 - Jan 16, 2023

Brady played his final NFL season, throwing for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns despite personal turmoil including his divorce. The Buccaneers lost in the wild-card round to the Cowboys, ending his career.

Image source: 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Post-Retirement

Announces retirement 'for good'

Feb 1, 2023

Brady announced his permanent retirement via an emotional video, ending a 23-year career with seven Super Bowls, five MVP awards, and virtually every major passing record.

Key Facts

Tom Brady was drafted 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, making him one of the greatest 'draft steals' in sports history.
He won seven Super Bowl championships (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII with the Patriots and LV with the Buccaneers), more than any other player or franchise in NFL history.
Brady holds numerous NFL records, including most career passing yards (over 89,000), most career touchdown passes (649), and most career wins by a starting quarterback (251).
In 2007, he led the Patriots to a perfect 16-0 regular season, the first in NFL history, though they lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.
After 20 seasons with the Patriots, Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and won Super Bowl LV in his first season with the team, retiring permanently in February 2023.

Source

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