Challenges in the Life of Tom Brady in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Tom Brady. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Tom Brady is a former American football quarterback, widely considered the greatest of all time. He played 23 seasons in the NFL, spending 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a key player in the Patriots' dynasty from 2001 to 2019. Now he is a sports broadcaster.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

September 28, 1996: First Collegiate Game

On September 28, 1996, Tom Brady made his first appearance in a collegiate game for Michigan, throwing an interception on his first pass attempt which was returned for a touchdown by UCLA.

1999: Platooning and Late-Game Heroics

In 1999, Tom Brady platooned with Drew Henson during the first seven games. He nearly led Michigan to a comeback win against Michigan State after being reinserted into the game. He went on to play the entire game against Indiana, throwing for 226 yards. He also led Michigan to a 4th-quarter comeback against Penn State.

2002: Patriots Miss Playoffs

Due to tiebreakers, the Patriots failed to win the AFC East division title, and missed the playoffs altogether for the first time since the 2002 season after Brady's Injury in 2008.

2008: Season-Ending Knee Injury

During the 2008 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tom Brady suffered a serious knee injury in the first quarter and did not return. It was later confirmed that he would require surgery, prematurely ending his season. He tore both his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. He had surgery on October 6. The Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

2008: Missed Season Due to Injury

In 2008, Tom Brady missed the entire NFL season due to injury.

2008: Stress Fracture in Foot

In 2008, Tom Brady suffered a stress fracture in his right foot, which required surgery in 2011.

2009: 2009 Regular Season

During the 2009 regular season, Tom Brady finished with 4,398 passing yards and 28 touchdowns for a 96.2 rating, despite playing with a broken right ring finger and three fractured ribs.

2009: Wild Card Round Loss

In 2009, Tom Brady threw for 154 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 33–14 Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This marked his first career home playoff loss.

2009: Patriots Denied First-Round Bye

In 2009, the Patriots finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, but a loss to the Miami Dolphins denied them a first-round bye for the first time since 2009.

2011: Selected as a Starter to the 2011 Pro Bowl

In 2011, Tom Brady was selected as a starter for the Pro Bowl but withdrew due to surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot, dating back to 2008. He was replaced by Matt Cassel.

2015: Brady's Suspension Vacated

In 2015, Judge Richard M. Berman vacated Tom Brady's four-game suspension, allowing him to play in the first four games of the season. Judge Berman cited the NFL's failure to provide proper notice and potential manipulation of Brady's testimony.

2015: NFL Appealed Decision to Vacate Brady's Suspension

On March 3, 2016, the NFL appealed Judge Richard M. Berman's 2015 decision to vacate Tom Brady's four-game suspension in the Deflategate scandal. The appeals court questioned the evidence of ball tampering.

2016: 2016 Season Performance

Despite numerous injuries to key players, the Patriots lost their first game against the Broncos in overtime after a 10-0 start in 2016. They finished the season 12-4, earning the 2-seed in the AFC. Tom Brady led the league with 36 touchdown passes and was named to his 11th Pro Bowl. He was ranked as the second-best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

2016: Concussion Concerns

In 2016, Tom Brady allegedly suffered from a concussion. His wife, Gisele Bündchen, mentioned he has concussions 'pretty much every,' but the NFL stated there were no records indicating a head injury or concussion.

2016: Second Streak Ended Due to Suspension

In 2016, Tom Brady's second streak of consecutive starts ended due to suspension.

2016: Suspension Overturned and Reinstated

On April 25, 2016, the decision to vacate Tom Brady's four-game suspension was overturned by the U.S. Appeals Court. On July 15, Brady announced he would accept his suspension for the first four games of the season.

February 11, 2021: Brady's Knee Discomfort Revealed

On February 11, 2021, it was revealed that Tom Brady had knee discomfort through most of the 2020 season and would require a minor arthroscopy for a routine cleanup.

November 2022: FTX Files for Bankruptcy

In November 2022, FTX filed for bankruptcy, resulting in significant financial losses for customers and Tom Brady's stake in the company.

2022: First Season with Eight or More Losses

In 2022, Brady experienced his first season in which he lost eight or more games, marking a significant challenge in his career.

2023: Autograph Announces Layoffs

In 2023, Autograph announced layoffs for nearly a third of its workforce.

2023: Brady's Losses Due to FTX Bankruptcy Reported

In 2023, it was reported that Tom Brady owned 1,144,861 common shares in FTX, and he and his wife lost an estimated combined value of $45 million when FTX went bankrupt.