The end of an era: Tom Brady's unmatched legacy in the NFL
Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. The debate of who is the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) exists in every sport, but only a few can boast an undisputed title holder. He has undoubtedly established himself as the greatest player to ever step on a football field.
With records that will last a lifetime and his dedication to the game, Brady stands out as a true leader among men. After announcing his retirement for the second time exactly one year after his first, it's time to reflect on Brady's greatness.
His records, awards, and team accomplishments will forever go down in history as some of the most remarkable of all time.
Passing Records
Brady holds some of the league's best passing records, both in the regular and postseason. Some of his most impressive passing records include:
- Most career passing yards: 87,852
- Most career pass completions: 7,610
- Most career passing attempts: 11,841
- Most passing yards in the playoffs: 13,049
- Most passing yards in the Super Bowl: 3,039
- Most passing yards in the New England Patriots franchise: 74,571
- Most passing yards in a single season in New England: 5,235 (2011)
- Most passing yards in a single season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5,316 (2021)
Touchdown Records
He has an unmatched touchdown record and holds a record in nearly every category of passing touchdowns. Here are some of the most impressive records among his plethora of touchdown records:
- Most seasons with 35+ touchdown passes: 6 (tied with Aaron Rodgers)
- Most seasons with 40+ touchdown passes: 3 (tied with Aaron Rodgers)
- Most games with 2+ touchdown passes: 202
- Most games with 3+ touchdown passes: 102
- Most games with 4+ touchdown passes: 39
- Most touchdown passes to different players: 97
- Most career passing touchdowns with one team: 541
- Most seasons as passing touchdown leader: 5
- Only quarterback to have 40 passing touchdowns in a season in both the AFC (50; 2007) and the NFC (40; 2020)
- Most touchdown passes in the playoffs: 86
- Most touchdown passes in the Super Bowl: 21
Appearance Records
Having played 23 seasons in the NFL, Brady has set a lot of appearance records over the years, both in the regular season and postseason.
- Most regular season starts by player: 328
- Most games won by a player: 251
- Most games played by a non-kicker: 335
- Most consecutive 10-win seasons as starting QB: 13
- Most consecutive 11-win seasons as starting QB: 12
- Most consecutive seasons in the NFL playoffs by a team, player, or head coach: 13
- Most games started in the playoff: 47
- Brady is the only starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl for both the AFC and NFC
- Most Super Bowl appearances: 10
Tom Brady Awards
Is there an active QB who could break some of Tom Brady’s career records?
* Most passing TDs ever (649)
* Most passing yards ever (89,214)
* Most wins in NFL history (251)
.Breaking: Leaked Supreme Court decision in the “GOAT” case, names Tom Brady as official 🐐.
The majority decision cited overwhelming facts.
7 Super Bowl rings
Most career wins, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
3 Most Valuable Player awards
- 7x Super Bowl Champion
- 5x Super Bowl MVP
- 9x AFC champion
- 3x NFL MVP
- 15x Pro Bowl selection
- 5x ESPY Award winner
These and many more prove Brady's greatness, and whether this retirement is permanent or not, one thing is for sure: he will forever be regarded as the greatest player in NFL history.