It’s over, done, finished for good this time… we think.
The NFL’s greatest ever player Tom Brady retired (again) after 23 seasons and seven Super Bowl titles.
Truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2s2sezvSS
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2023
Now there are all sorts of questions and justifiable doubts about whether or not Brady is in fact finished as a player, but looking at this video compared to the clumsily worded statement 12 months ago that turned out to just be an attempt to leave Tampa, this feels a lot more final.
Even if it seems like he was walking on the beach and just decided to film the video on a whim.
Anyway, what is not up for debate is the fact Brady has had an all time NFL career and it is going to be likely impossible for any player to match the success and longevity he enjoyed.
His former team paid a glowing tribute to him with this video.
Forever a legend.
Congratulations, @TomBrady. pic.twitter.com/MWLOGShcEC
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2023
It’s fair to say he didn’t go out in a blaze of glory, but even in the midst of his worst season record wise, he still produced a couple of trademark game winning drives.
44 seconds left, no timeouts. @TomBrady was still leading game-winning drives like this in his final season. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/0ffhKyNN30
— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2023
But there were plenty of memorable moments over the last two decades and we’ve had a crack at narrowing down the best 10.
10 – 2014 Divisional Round – The Best Pass
There are thousands of options to choose from but the best completion of Brady’s career came in the 2014 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Down 31-28, Brady delivered the ball with pinpoint accuracy right into the arms of Brandon LaFell for the go ahead touchdown.
Can never forget Tom Brady to Brandon LaFell for the game winning touchdown in the 2014 divisional round.
Patriots came back from down 14 TWICE in that game. One of the best playoff games I’ve ever watched. Unbelievable.
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) February 1, 2022
In a season where many wrote him off, Brady showed he still had it in 2014.
9 – 2018 AFC Championship – The Busted Hand
Danny Amendola might have been the hero of this game (rightfully so) but Brady’s performance in this game cannot be underrated.
Four days after splitting open his throwing hand in a practice drill gone wrong, Brady took on the best defence in the league, losing his best weapon Rob Gronkowski and turned to Amendola to get them to a third Super Bowl in four years.
Tom Brady to Danny Amendola for a ridiculous 4-YD TD pass#GoPats 24#Jaguars 20#JAXvsNE pic.twitter.com/jOA3eoj1ih
— TRSN (@TRSNHub) January 21, 2018
8 – Super Bowl XXXVIII – Game Manager? Yeah Right
In the early days of his career, Brady was maligned as a game manager who was carried to all of his success by a good defence and running game.
At times that might have been true, but by his third season as a starter, Brady was more than contributing.
That was evident in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers in a game that was billed as a defensive battle.
Taking on a fearsome front seven and an intimidating secondary, Brady threw for 354 yards and three touchdowns (back when that was an exception stat line for a quarterback) and produced another game winning drive.
19 years ago today Super Bowl 38 here is the full game-winning drive pic.twitter.com/FW9dRYjsoh
— RandomTomBradyHighlights (@TomBradyDaily) February 1, 2023
7 – Week 17, 2007 – The Record Breaker
Despite having three titles and a number of accolades, Brady still had some doubters heading into the 2007 season.
However with the addition of Randy Moss, Wes Welker and a revitalised offence, Brady showed just what he could do when asked to shoulder the load.
He set the NFL record for passing touchdowns with this throw to Randy Moss in Week 17 as the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season.
December 29, 2007
Tom Brady throws his 50th TD pass and Randy Moss catches his 23rd TD pass of the season as the Patriots defeat the NY Giants (38-35) to finish the regular season undefeated
(16-0) pic.twitter.com/XvH7lehTOd
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) December 29, 2020
It wasn’t all perfect for them that season though, just ask Eli Manning and the New York Giants how that campaign ended.
6 – 2019 AFC Championship – The De Facto Super Bowl
New England’s sixth Super Bowl title may have come a fortnight later against the LA Rams, but for all intents and purposes, this was the true title game.
Facing off against the guy who was marked as the most likely challenger to Brady’s mantle, the aging veteran showed he’s still got it, coming through in the clutch in a hostile environment.
While Brady had plenty of better games statistically, the big throws he made in the critical moments cements this as one of his signature performances in the latter stages of his career.
January 20, 2019
Tom Brady converts three 3rd and 10’s in OT and the Patriots defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (37-31) in the AFC Championship game.
One of the best playoff games in NFL history
Pats heading to their 3rd straight Super Bowlhttps://t.co/GgF1LZbfGd
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) January 20, 2022
5 – Super Bowl LV – He’s Still Got It
It was the divorce many expected but were still stunned by, Tom Brady left the New England Patriots in March 2020 and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
To his credit Brady could not have found a more supportive landing spot with the Bucs, who allowed him to bring in some of his favourite targets and essentially run the show alongside head coach Bruce Arians.
Brady won title number seven in Tampa’s home stadium as the Buccaneers dismantled the Chiefs 31-9 in the only Super Bowl of Brady’s career not decided by a one score margin.
Despite throwing for three touchdowns in the game, he saved his best throw of the postseason for the boat parade with the Lombardi Trophy.
"DAD NO!" 😂 pic.twitter.com/dD0aOp2w4S
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 2, 2023
4 – Super Bowl LII – A Record Setting Performance
It will be impossible to determine the exact moment that Tom Brady decided he was done in New England but this game might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
It was a historic day for Brady in Minnesota throwing for a Super Bowl record 505 yards but it wouldn’t be enough in the end as the Patriots defence could not make a stop.
A Random Dynasty Highlight:
Brady to Gronk 4 yard TD vs Eagles in 2017 Super Bowlhttps://t.co/I9FIqUEWs1#Patriots #Dynasty pic.twitter.com/QKtBG3wf5Q
— Patriots Dynasty (@PatsDynastyInfo) January 2, 2023
While they did make it back and finish the job a year later, this one will go down as one of Brady’s best performances without the end reward.
3 – Super Bowl XLIX – Breaking the Drought
After an eventful 2014 season where some were questioning if Brady might be coming to the end of his career, he came back with a bang and lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance against the reigning champions Seattle.
It was a proper heavyweight battle, some regard it as the best Super Bowl of all time as the teams went back and forth.
Down 10 in the fourth quarter, Brady lead a pair of touchdown drives to give the Patriots a late lead.
8 years ago today Super Bowl 49 here is the full game-winning touchdown drive pic.twitter.com/Eg7VJXKThE
— RandomTomBradyHighlights (@TomBradyDaily) February 1, 2023
And when Malcolm Butler sealed the game with a goalline interception, the jubilation on Brady’s face after ending a decade long title drought could not be hidden.
2 – Super Bowl XXXVI – The First One
When the New England Patriots made Super Bowl XXXVI against the Rams, Brady was an unhearalded 24 year old quarterback still establishing who he was.
Despite going into the game as a two touchdown underdog, the Patriots held their own and Brady had the chance to win the game with one of his now famous fourth quarter drives.
With commentator John Madden calling on the Pats to kneel on the ball and take it to overtime, Brady instead took the advice of fellow quarterback Drew Bledsoe and decided to go out there and sling it.
Tom Brady’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Any nerves? Nah. He leads a game winning drive (7/9, 52 yards).
The late great John Madden with the legendary line: “What Tom Brady just did, gives me goosebumps.”pic.twitter.com/EkWuK2XFq2
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) February 1, 2022
1 – Super Bowl LI: Never in Doubt
If you want to see the quintessential Tom Brady effort, start watching Super Bowl LI midway through the third quarter.
Down 28-3, just about everyone had written the Patriots off (with good reason) and Brady simply took over.
New England went on to score 25 unanswered points to send the game to overtime before Brady orchestrated a possession that ended with a James White touchdown to win it.
.@TomBrady led the greatest Super Bowl comeback of all time.
Just another reason why he’s the 🐐
📺: #SBLV — Sunday 6:30pm ET on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/7TdZphdLKv— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2021
In the course of the comeback Brady set a Super Bowl record with 466 passing yards that would be broken 12 months later.