Tom Brady: Biography of the Star Quarterback

Tom Brady: Biography of the Star Quarterback If ever there were a real-life Captain America, it would be him. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be taking a look at the life and career of Tom Brady. Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. was born August 3rd, 1977 in San Mateo, California. He nurtured his love of sports by attending San Francisco 49ers games to see his idol, Joe Montana, in action. At 6'4”, 225, Brady was a natural jock with skills in football and baseball. After graduating high school in 1995, he had a decision to make when the Montreal Expos picked him as a catcher in the 18th round of that year's Major League Baseball Draft. Brady turned it down to play football at the University of Michigan. He spent most of his first two years on the bench as a backup to future NFL QB Brian Griese. However, by 1998 he took the top spot, and started every game for the next two seasons. He also led the team to wins in the '99 Citrus Bowl and the 2000 Orange Bowl. Brady was drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2000, but only played one game during his inaugural pro season. The frustrated Brady didn't wait long to prove himself: during the 2001 season, Pats starting QB Drew Bledsoe sustained an injury, and Brady took over. He forged an important relationship with coach Bill Belichick, and used his leadership skills and impressive arm to help New England win 11 of the 14 games he started. Brady's presence was felt even more in the postseason: after leading New England to an OT win in the AFC divisional playoff game – affectionately known as the Snow Bowl – he was headed to Super Bowl XXXVI. By driving his team down the field in the game's final seconds, Brady made room for a Pats field goal and nail-biter win. He took home the MVP Award and became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. In 2002, Brady appeared in People Magazine as one of the year's “50 Most Beautiful People”, before a shoulder injury plagued his next season, and the Pats missed the playoffs. They were back in top form in 2003, when they won the AFC East, and emerged victorious in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Brady earned MVP honors again by setting a record for most completions by a quarterback in a Super Bowl. New England excelled in 2004, and Brady was voted to his second Pro Bowl. They capped off the season with their third Super Bowl win in four years. His hard work paid dividends when he signed a contract extension with the Pats worth $60 million over six years. In that same offseason, he expanded his brand and reached a new audience by hosting “Saturday Night Live.” The next two seasons saw the Pats lose in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, and the AFC Championship. But Brady bounced back in 2007, and his performance that year was labeled the best season ever by a quarterback. He led the Patriots to a 16-0 record, and enjoyed numerous career milestones along the way. They made it to Super Bowl XLII, but missed a perfect season by one game when the New York Giants managed a last-minute touchdown to win. Brady's rival, Eli Manning, took MVP honors. Brady's football future was called into question the next season when a knee injury sidelined him for the entire year. But, extensive rehab and surgeries allowed Brady to return and he was named 2009's Comeback Player of the Year. He was rewarded with another contract extension, this one worth $72 million over four years, making him the highest-paid player in the league. 2011 was another sensational season: Brady became the first QB to manage three consecutive seasons of 36 touchdowns or more. To cap off the year, the Pats played a tight game against the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, but lost. On the field, Tom Brady has drawn comparisons to legends like Joe Namath. Off the field, his relationships with beauties like Bridget Moynahan and Gisele Bündchen have made him a heartthrob. But, it's Brady's control and football IQ that have secured his place in history as one of the greats.