History of Tom Brady in Timeline

Tom Brady is a retired American football quarterback, widely considered the greatest of all time. He played 23 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the New England Patriots, leading them to a dynasty from 2001-2019. He won seven Super Bowl titles, more than any other player, and holds numerous NFL records. His final three seasons were with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring. He is now a sports broadcaster.

Sections (7)

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

1947: U.S. Appeals Court Decision

In 2016, The U.S. Appeals Court referenced the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 in overturning the decision to vacate Brady's four-game suspension.

1970: Patriots Tie Victory Record

In 2009, the Patriots' 59–0 victory over the Titans tied the record for the largest margin of victory since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and set a record for largest halftime lead in NFL history, which was 45–0.

1972: Patriots Match Dolphins Record

After defeating the Jaguars, the Patriots matched the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only team to win 17 consecutive games in one season.

August 3, 1977: Tom Brady's Birth

On August 3, 1977, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. was born. He would later become a professional football quarterback.

1978: Undefeated Regular Season

In 1978, the 16-game schedule was implemented. Tom Brady led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season since then.

1978: Patriots' First Home Playoff Loss Since 1978

The 2009 Wild Card Round loss was the Patriots' first home playoff loss since 1978.

1981: Attended 1981 NFC Championship Game

In 1981, at age four, Tom Brady attended the NFC Championship game where Joe Montana threw "The Catch."

1990: Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year

In 1990, Joe Montana won the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Brady was named the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year.

1995: Began College Football Career at Michigan

In 1995, Tom Brady began his college football career at the University of Michigan, initially as a backup quarterback.

1995: Graduated from Junipero Serra High School

In 1995, Tom Brady graduated from Junípero Serra High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball.

1995: Drafted by the Montreal Expos

In 1995, Tom Brady was drafted as a catcher in the 18th round of the MLB draft by the Montreal Expos, but chose to play football at the University of Michigan.

September 28, 1996: First Collegiate Game Appearance

On September 28, 1996, Tom Brady made his first appearance in a collegiate game for Michigan, during which his first pass attempt was intercepted for a touchdown.

1998: Set Michigan Records

In 1998, Tom Brady set new Michigan records for most pass attempts and completions in a season, totaling 214 completions.

December 1999: Graduated from the University of Michigan

In December 1999, Tom Brady graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies.

1999: Patriots Earn Compensatory Pick

In 1999, the New England Patriots earned a compensatory pick due to the loss of punter Tom Tupa to free agency, which eventually led to them drafting Tom Brady in 2000.

2000: Rookie Season with Patriots

During his rookie season in 2000, Tom Brady was the fourth-string quarterback and completed only one pass for six yards.

2000: Drafted by the New England Patriots

In 2000, Tom Brady was drafted 199th overall in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots.

2001: Known Trump since 2001

Brady has known Trump since 2001 and that Trump asked him to be a judge in the Miss USA pageant.

2001: Began Streak of Consecutive Starts

From 2001 to 2008, Tom Brady began a streak of 111 consecutive starts, which ended due to injury.

2001: Bledsoe Injury Leads to Brady Starting

In 2001, Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury in the second game against the New York Jets, leading to Tom Brady taking over as the starting quarterback for the Patriots.

2001: Start of Patriots' Dynasty

In 2001, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick initiated the New England Patriots' dynasty, which lasted until 2019.

2001: First AFC Offensive Player of the Week Award

In 2001, Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career after leading the Patriots to a comeback victory against the San Diego Chargers.

2002: First Super Bowl Victory and MVP Award

In 2002, Tom Brady led the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory against the St. Louis Rams and was named Super Bowl MVP. Drew Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills, solidifying Brady's role as the starting quarterback.

2002: Buccaneers Playoff Win Drought

In 2002, prior to Tom Brady joining the team in 2020, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had not won a playoff game since this year, marking a significant drought for the franchise.

2002: Patriots Miss Playoffs

In 2008, despite Brady's absence, the Patriots finished 11-5 but missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season.

2003: Led Patriots to 14-2 Season

In 2003, Tom Brady led the Patriots to twelve consecutive victories to finish the regular season at 14-2 to win the AFC East.

2003: Inducted into Junipero Serra High School Hall of Fame

In 2003, Tom Brady was inducted into the Junípero Serra High School Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements.

2003: NFL Record Streak Began

The NFL record for consecutive wins began in 2003, reaching 21 games into the 2004 season.

2003: First Opening Day Loss Since 2003

Tom Brady's 2014 season started with a 33–20 loss to the Dolphins, marking his first opening day loss since the 2003 season.

2004: State of the Union Address

In 2004, Brady attended the State of the Union Address as a special guest of then-President George W. Bush and stated that being a U.S. Senator would be his "craziest ambition."

2004: Dated Bridget Moynahan

In 2004, Brady dated actress Bridget Moynahan.

2004: Peyton Manning's Single-Season Record

In 2004, Peyton Manning set the single-season record that Tom Brady would later break in 2007.

2004: Patriots Set NFL Record with 21 Straight Wins

In 2004, Tom Brady helped the Patriots set an NFL record with 21 straight wins dating from the previous year. New England finished with a 14–2 record.

2004: Super Bowl XXXIX Victory

In 2004, Tom Brady led the Patriots to victory in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, securing their third championship in four years.

2005: Hosting Saturday Night Live

In 2005, Brady hosted Saturday Night Live and voiced himself in The Simpsons episode "Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass".

2005: AFC Offensive Player of the Week

In 2005, Tom Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 5 performance, finishing the season with 4,110 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.

December 2006: Began dating Gisele Bündchen

In December 2006, Brady began dating Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen.

December 2006: End of Relationship with Bridget Moynahan

In early December 2006, Brady and actress Bridget Moynahan ended their relationship.

2006: Family Guy Episode

In 2006, Brady voiced himself in the Family Guy episode "Patriot Games".

2006: Patriots Reach Playoffs

In 2006, Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 12-4 record and the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs. He declined an injury-replacement selection to the Pro Bowl.

February 18, 2007: Moynahan's Pregnancy Confirmation

On February 18, 2007, Moynahan confirmed she was more than three months pregnant with Brady's child.

August 2007: Birth of Son, John Edward Thomas "Jack" Moynahan

In August 2007, Brady's son, John Edward Thomas "Jack" Moynahan, was born.

2007: Stetson Cologne Model

In 2007, Brady was a model for the Stetson cologne.

2007: Named Male Athlete of the Year

In 2007, Tom Brady was named Male Athlete of the Year, recognizing his exceptional performance.

2007: Buccaneers Postseason Drought

In 2007, prior to Tom Brady joining the team in 2020, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had not reached the postseason since this year, marking a significant drought for the franchise.

2007: Acquisition of Key Receivers

In 2007, the Patriots acquired wide receivers Donté Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelley Washington, and Randy Moss, setting the stage for Brady's exceptional season.

2007: Career High Touchdowns Tied

On October 18, 2009, Tom Brady finished the game with six touchdowns, tying his career-high from the 2007 season, and 380 yards, completing 29-of-34 attempts, finishing with a nearly perfect passer rating of 152.8.

2008: Missed Season Due to Injury

In 2008, Tom Brady missed nearly the entire season due to injury, marking the only time he did not start because of injury.

2008: Season-Ending Knee Injury

In 2008, Tom Brady suffered a serious knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs, prematurely ending his season and his streak of 111 consecutive starts.

2008: Stress Fracture

In 2011, Tom Brady pulled out of the Pro Bowl after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot dating back to 2008.

February 26, 2009: Marriage to Gisele Bündchen

On February 26, 2009, Brady and Bündchen married in a Catholic ceremony in Santa Monica, California.

October 18, 2009: Record-Setting Performance Against the Titans

On October 18, 2009, Tom Brady set an NFL record for most touchdowns in a quarter (five) against the Titans, finishing the game with six touchdowns and a near-perfect passer rating of 152.8. The Patriots won 59-0, tying the record for the largest margin of victory since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week due to this performance.

December 2009: Birth of Son, Benjamin Rein Brady

In December 2009, Brady and Bündchen's son, Benjamin Rein Brady, was born.

2009: Entourage Appearance

In 2009, Brady appeared as himself in an episode of Entourage.

2009: Outstanding Performance in 2009 Season Opener

In the 2009 season opener, Tom Brady threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Patriots to a 25–24 win against the Bills after being down 24-13. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week due to this performance in 2009.

2009: Wild Card Round Loss

In the 2009 season, 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: Successful 2009 Regular Season

Tom Brady finished the 2009 regular season with 4,398 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, achieving a 96.2 rating despite injuries. He was later selected as a reserve to the 2010 Pro Bowl and named the 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

September 10, 2010: Contract Extension

On September 10, 2010, Tom Brady signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension, becoming the highest-paid player in the NFL with $48.5 million guaranteed.

2010: AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year

In 2011, Tom Brady was named the 2010 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

2010: Pro Bowl Selection

In the 2009 season, Tom Brady was selected as a reserve to the 2010 Pro Bowl after a comeback from injury.

2011: Career-High Performance and Passing Yards

During the 2011 season, Tom Brady achieved a career-high of 517 passing yards in Week 1 and tied a record with a 99-yard touchdown pass. Although surpassing Dan Marino's record, Brady finished second in passing yards with 5,235. The Patriots clinched the AFC's #1 seed, with Brady named to the Pro Bowl.

2011: Pro Bowl Selection and AP All-Pro Team

In 2011, Tom Brady was selected as a starter to the Pro Bowl but withdrew due to surgery for a stress fracture from 2008. He was the only unanimous selection for the AP All-Pro Team and was named the 2010 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and won his second MVP award.

December 2012: Birth of Daughter, Vivian Lake Brady

In December 2012, Brady and Bündchen's daughter, Vivian Lake Brady, was born.

2012: Ranked Fourth-Best NFL Player

For his efforts in the 2011 season, Tom Brady was named as the fourth-best player in the NFL on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012 by his peers.

2012: Brother-in-Law

In 2012, Brady and baseball player Kevin Youkilis became brothers-in-law when Youkilis married Brady's sister Julie.

2012: Pass Attempts Record

In 2012, Brady broke Matthew Stafford's record for pass attempts in a season.

2012: Leading Patriots to Division Titles and High Scoring Season

In 2012, Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 12-4 record and his tenth division title. The Patriots scored 557 points, marking their fourth 500+ point season, a record led by Brady. He finished with 4,827 passing yards and 34 touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl.

February 25, 2013: Contract Extension with the Patriots

On February 25, 2013, Tom Brady and the Patriots agreed to a three-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through 2017.

2013: Ranked Fourth by Fellow Players

For the 2012 season, Tom Brady was ranked fourth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013, marking his second consecutive year in that position.

2013: ESPN Declares Greatest Passing Season

In 2013, ESPN unanimously voted Tom Brady's 2007 season the greatest passing season of all time.

2013: Playoff Loss

In 2013, it marked the last time Brady lost in the playoffs in consecutive seasons until losing to the Cowboys.

2013: Breaks TD:INT Ratio Record

Tom Brady ended the 2016 regular season with 28 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions breaking Nick Foles's 2013 record.

2014: Endorsement Earnings

According to Forbes, in 2014, Brady earned about $7 million from endorsements.

2014: Continued Success and Playoff Appearance

In 2014, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time and ranked third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list. The Patriots finished the season 12–4 and made it to the AFC Championship, losing to the Broncos.

2014: Opening Day Loss and Division Title

Tom Brady started the 2014 season with a loss to the Dolphins, his first opening day loss since 2003. He later won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October and clinched his 12th AFC East division title.

May 6, 2015: NFL Report Published on Deflategate

On May 6, 2015, the NFL published a 243-page report regarding the deflation of footballs used in the previous season's AFC Championship Game. The report concluded that Tom Brady was likely aware of the intentional deflation.

2015: Cameo Appearances

In 2015, Brady made cameo appearances as fictionalized versions of himself in the Entourage movie and Ted 2.

2015: No Interest in Politics

In 2015, Brady stated he had no interest in running for political office.

2015: Spirituality

In 2015, Brady stated he was less religious than he is spiritual.

2015: Brady's Suspension Vacated

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

2015: NFL General Counsel Ordered Data Deletion

In February 2022, it was revealed that in the 2015 season, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash ordered the deletion of all PSI data gathered, and false numbers were used in the letter ordering the investigation of the Patriots.

2015: NFL Appeals Decision to Vacate Brady's Suspension

On March 3, 2016, the NFL appealed Judge Richard M. Berman's 2015 decision to vacate Brady's four-game suspension as punishment for his alleged role in the Deflategate scandal.

2015: Ranked Third by Fellow Players

Tom Brady was ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 list after the 2014 season.

January 20, 2016: Launch of TB12Sports.com

On January 20, 2016, Brady announced the launch of his website TB12Sports.com, featuring his training regimen and merchandise.

February 29, 2016: Contract Extension

On February 29, 2016, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

August 23, 2016: TB12 Snack Line Expansion

On August 23, 2016, the TB12 brand expanded to offer a snack line.

December 20, 2016: Pro Bowl Selection

On December 20, 2016, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth straight season and 12th time overall.

2016: Return After Suspension and AFC Offensive Player of the Month

After serving his four-game suspension, Tom Brady made his 2016 season debut on October 9, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week. His outstanding performance earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for October 2016.

2016: Patriots Season and Brady's Performance

Despite injuries to key players, the Patriots finished the 2016 season 12-4. Tom Brady led the league with 36 touchdown passes, was named to his 11th Pro Bowl, and was ranked as the second-best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

2016: Beautyrest Black Commercial

In 2016, Brady began appearing in a Beautyrest Black commercial campaign for Simmons Bedding Company and launched his own line of vegan snacks.

2016: Four-Game Suspension

In 2016, Tom Brady gave up his Deflategate fight and accepted his suspension for the first four regular season games.

2016: Trump reached out to Brady

In 2016, Trump reached out to Brady to speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

2016: Support to Donald Trump

In 2016, Trump said he received a call from Brady, and that Brady told him: "Donald, I support you, you're my friend, and I voted for you."

March 2017: Partnership with Purple Carrot

In March 2017, Brady partnered with meal-kit startup Purple Carrot to offer TB12 Performance Meals.

April 2017: White House Visit

In April 2017, Brady did not join the New England Patriots in visiting Trump at the White House after their Super Bowl victory, citing "personal family matters."

May 12, 2017: Brady Announced as Madden NFL 18 Cover Athlete

On May 12, 2017, Tom Brady was announced as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 18.

September 19, 2017: Publication of "The TB12 Method"

On September 19, 2017, Simon & Schuster published Brady's first book The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance, which became a number one best-seller.

2017: Tom vs Time Documentary

In 2017, Brady was filmed for a Facebook Watch documentary series entitled Tom vs Time.

2017: Rob Gronkowski Adopts Brady's Diet

In 2017, Rob Gronkowski, a friend and former teammate of Tom Brady, began following the plant-based diet plan promoted by Brady and Alex Guerrero.

2017: Ranked First on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2017, Tom Brady was ranked first on the NFL Top 100 Players as the best player in the league, becoming the first player to be named as #1 twice since the listing began.

2017: Contract Extension Through 2017

On February 25, 2013, Tom Brady and the Patriots agreed to a three-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through 2017.

2018: Endorsed Helen Brady

In 2018, Brady endorsed Republican Helen Brady for State Auditor of Massachusetts.

2018: Contract Extension Covering 2018 Season

On February 29, 2016, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

August 4, 2019: Brady Signs Contract Extension

On August 4, 2019, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension worth $70 million through the 2021 season, but the terms allowed him to become a free agent after the 2019 season.

2019: Named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 2019, Tom Brady was unanimously named to the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, marking his lasting impact on the sport.

2019: Contract Extension Covering 2019 Season

On February 29, 2016, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

March 17, 2020: Brady Announces Departure from Patriots

On March 17, 2020, Tom Brady announced that he would not re-sign with the Patriots for the 2020 season, ending his 20-year tenure in New England.

March 20, 2020: Brady Signs with the Buccaneers

On March 20, 2020, Tom Brady signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a no-trade and no-franchise tag clause.

April 2020: Declined RNC Speaking Engagement

In April 2020, Brady explained that Trump had reached out to him to speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and that he declined.

April 2020: Gronkowski Traded to Buccaneers

In April 2020, Tom Brady was reunited with former Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski when the tight end came out of retirement and was traded to the Buccaneers at Brady's request.

December 2020: Home Purchase in Indian Creek

In December 2020, Brady and Bündchen reportedly bought a home in Indian Creek, Florida.

2020: Launch of 199 Productions

In 2020, Brady launched a production company, 199 Productions.

2020: The Match Participation

In 2020, Brady participated in The Match, an exhibition and charity golf event.

2020: Signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2020, Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that had not reached the postseason since 2007 or won a playoff game since 2002. His arrival marked a significant turning point for the franchise.

January 2021: Autograph Funding

In January 2021, Autograph announced it raised $170M in funding.

February 11, 2021: Brady 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.

March 12, 2021: Brady Signs Contract Extension with Buccaneers

On March 12, 2021, Tom Brady signed a one-year contract extension through the 2022 season with the Buccaneers.

2021: The Match Participation

In 2021, Brady participated in The Match, an exhibition and charity golf event.

2021: FTX Spokesperson

In 2021, Brady was a paid spokesperson for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange.

2021: Record-Setting Season with Buccaneers

In 2021, Tom Brady set the season record for completions and led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. His passing yards were also a career-high.

February 1, 2022: Brady Announces Retirement

On February 1, 2022, after 22 seasons, Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL.

February 2022: Revelation of Falsified Data in Deflategate

In February 2022, sportswriter Mike Florio revealed that the NFL falsified data and hid information that would have cleared Tom Brady and the Patriots of wrongdoing in the Deflategate scandal.

February 2022: Securities Act Ruling

In February 2022, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Securities Act of 1933 extends to targeted solicitation using social media.

March 13, 2022: Brady Unretires, Returns to Buccaneers

On March 13, 2022, just 40 days after announcing his retirement, Tom Brady announced he would return to the Buccaneers for the 2022 season.

May 10, 2022: Fox Sports Deal Announced

On May 10, 2022, Fox Sports announced that Brady would join the network as the lead color commentator for $375 million over 10 years, making him the highest paid sports commentator in history.

October 2022: Divorce Announcement

In October 2022, Brady and Bündchen announced their divorce.

November 2022: FTX Bankruptcy Filing

In November 2022, FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange for which Brady was a paid spokesperson, filed for bankruptcy.

2022: First Career Losing Season as Starter

In 2022, Brady experienced his first career losing season as a starter and it marked the first season in which Brady lost eight or more games.

2022: The Match Participation

In 2022, Brady participated in The Match, an exhibition and charity golf event.

2022: Reiterated No Political Interest

In 2022, Brady reiterated that he would avoid a political career.

2022: Organic Food Diet

In 2022, Brady said he prefers a diet consisting of organic food, needing it from soil to get the nutrients.

2022: Trump Relationship Mischaracterized

In 2022, Brady said that he had not spoken with Trump in "years" and that his relationship with Trump had been mischaracterized by the media.

2022: Netflix "Greatest Roasts of All Time" Announcement

In 2022, Netflix announced that Brady would be featured in "Greatest Roasts of All Time: GROAT", a series of upcoming specials.

February 1, 2023: Retirement Announcement

On February 1, 2023, Brady announced his retirement from the NFL "for good" on social media.

March 23, 2023: Las Vegas Aces Stake

On March 23, 2023, Brady purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.

May 2023: Raiders Purchase Agreement

In May 2023, Brady entered into an agreement to purchase 10% of the Las Vegas Raiders, which was initially delayed.

August 3, 2023: Birmingham City Minority Owner

On August 3, 2023, Brady became a minority owner and chairman of a new advisory board at English club Birmingham City.

September 6, 2023: Delta Air Lines Strategic Advisor

On September 6, 2023, it was announced that Delta Air Lines had hired Brady as a strategic advisor.

September 10, 2023: Hall of Fame Candidacy Waived

On September 10, 2023, Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced that he would waive the traditional waiting period for Brady's candidacy to the Patriots Hall of Fame, and directly induct him without the customary ballot.

2023: Autograph Layoffs

In 2023, Autograph, the sports-based NFT platform co-founded by Brady, announced layoffs for nearly a third of its workforce.

2023: Founded Team Brady

In 2023, Tom founded Team Brady, an electric boat racing team which competes in the E1 Series.

2023: FTX Shares Lost

In 2023, it was reported 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.

2023: 2004 Patriots Last Team to Win Second Straight Super Bowl Until 2023 Season

Up until the 2023 season, the 2004 New England Patriots were the last NFL team to win a second straight Super Bowl.

January 2024: Merger with NoBull

In January 2024, Brady agreed to merge his health and apparel brands with NoBull and to become its second largest shareholder.

May 5, 2024: The Roast of Tom Brady

On May 5, 2024, "The Roast of Tom Brady" aired live on Netflix.

June 12, 2024: Patriots Hall of Fame Induction

On June 12, 2024, Brady was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, with the date referencing the number of championships he won in New England, and became a "Keeper of the Light."