Tom Brady's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Tom Brady. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Tom Brady is a retired American football quarterback, renowned as one of the greatest of all time. He played 23 seasons in the NFL, initially with the New England Patriots where he spearheaded a dominant dynasty from 2001-2019, winning multiple Super Bowls. He concluded his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady's unparalleled success and longevity have solidified his legacy in football history.

Sections (7)

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

1972: Patriots Matched Undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins

In the Patriots' first playoff game in 2007, a Divisional Round game against the Jaguars, they matched the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only team to win 17 consecutive games in one season.

1978: First Undefeated Regular Season Since 1978

In 2007, Tom Brady led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season since the 16-game schedule was implemented in 1978.

1990: Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year

In 2007, Tom Brady was honored by the Associated Press as their Male Athlete of the Year, the first time an NFL player earned the honor since Joe Montana in 1990.

1998: Shared Big Ten Title

In 1998, Tom Brady set Michigan records for most pass attempts and completions in a season, and Michigan shared the Big Ten title.

2000: Orange Bowl Victory

In 2000, Tom Brady led Michigan to an overtime win in the Orange Bowl over Alabama, throwing for 369 yards and four touchdowns and setting a BCS bowl game record with 35 completions.

2000: Drafted by the New England Patriots

In 2000, Tom Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round as the 199th overall pick. He was a lightly regarded prospect, and the Patriots acquired a compensatory pick due to the loss of punter Tom Tupa. Brady and his family were surprised he wasn't drafted earlier and believed he would be drafted in the second or third round. Patriots owner Robert Kraft recalled meeting a skinny Brady carrying a pizza box and Brady declaring he was "the best decision this organization has ever made".

2001: First AFC Offensive Player of the Week Award

During the 2001 season, in the Patriots' fifth game, Tom Brady began to find his stride, leading the Patriots to a 29–26 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Brady finished the game with 33 of 54 passes completed for 364 yards and two touchdowns and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time. He later received a second nomination and finished the season with 2,843 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, earning an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

2002: First Super Bowl Win

In 2002, Tom Brady started in the Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams. The Patriots won 20–17 with a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP, throwing for 145 yards and one touchdown. He became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl at 24 years and 6 months. Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills in April 2002, solidifying Brady's role as the Patriots' starting quarterback.

2003: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Twice

After a 2-2 start to the 2003 season, Tom Brady led the Patriots to twelve consecutive victories, finishing at 14-2 to win the AFC East. He also recorded a 36-yard punt in Week 14. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice, finishing with 3,620 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He finished third in NFL MVP voting.

2003: Equaled Best Regular-Season Record

In 2003, Tom Brady and the Patriots finished with a 14-2 record, which was the best regular season record ever for a defending champion at the time. This record was later surpassed by the 2011 Green Bay Packers.

2003: Inducted into High School Hall of Fame

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

2003: Consecutive Super Bowl Title

In 2003, the Patriots won a consecutive title

2004: Set NFL Record with 21 Straight Wins

During the 2004 season, Tom Brady helped the Patriots set an NFL record with 21 straight wins, an accomplishment honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. New England finished with a 14–2 record, equaling their 2003 record. Brady threw for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns and was voted to his second Pro Bowl.

2004: Consecutive Super Bowl Title

In 2004, the Patriots won a consecutive title

2004: Super Bowl XXXIX Victory

In the 2004 NFL season, Tom Brady led the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXIX, where they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21, securing their third championship in four years. Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

2004: Broke Peyton Manning's single-season record of 49 touchdown passes

In the last game of the 2007 season, Tom Brady threw his 50th touchdown of the season, breaking Peyton Manning's single-season record of 49 from 2004.

2005: AFC Offensive Player of the Week

During the 2005 season, Tom Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 5 performance against the Falcons, where he threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the season with 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the league in passing yards. The Patriots finished with a 10–6 record, winning their third straight AFC East title. He was named to his third Pro Bowl.

2007: League MVP

In 2007, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2007: Perfect Passer Rating

In 2007, playing with an overhauled receiver corps, Tom Brady achieved one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history. He led the Patriots to a 16–0 regular-season record, outscoring opponents by an average of 37–17. In a Week 6 game against the Dallas Cowboys, he had a career-high five passing touchdowns. In a Week 7 game against the Dolphins, he had a career-high six passing touchdowns and his first game with a perfect passer rating. Brady also threw for another three touchdowns, breaking Peyton Manning's record. Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and October, and the AFC Offensive Player of the Week five times.

October 18, 2009: Brady sets NFL record for most touchdowns in a quarter

On October 18, 2009, Tom Brady set an NFL record against the Titans for most touchdowns in a quarter, throwing five in the second quarter. He finished the game with six touchdowns and 380 yards, resulting in a near-perfect passer rating. The Patriots achieved a 59–0 victory, tying the record for the largest margin of victory since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Titans.

2009: Start of 11 Consecutive Division Titles

From 2009 to 2019, Tom Brady led the Patriots to 11 consecutive division titles.

2009: AFC Offensive Player of the Week

In the 2009 season opener against the Bills, his first game in more than a year, Tom Brady threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns. Brady and tight end Benjamin Watson connected on two straight touchdowns to lead the Patriots to a 25–24 win. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

2010: League MVP

In 2010, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2010: Brady named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year and wins MVP award

In 2010, Tom Brady was named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. By unanimous decision, he also won the MVP award for the second time in his career.

2010: Green Bay Packers defended the 2010 championship season with a 15-1 record

In 2010, the Green Bay Packers won the championship and followed it up in 2011 by defending the championship season with a 15-1 record.

2011: Start of 8 Consecutive AFC Championship Game Appearances

From 2011 to 2018, Tom Brady led the Patriots to eight consecutive AFC Championship Games.

2011: Green Bay Packers Surpass Patriots' Record

In 2011, the Green Bay Packers surpassed the 2004 New England Patriots' record for best regular-season record for a defending champion, achieving a 15-1 record. The 2004 Patriots previously equaled the 2003 record with a 14-2 standing.

2011: Brady throws for career-high 517 yards in Week 1

In Week 1 of the 2011 season, Tom Brady threw for a career-high 517 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in a 38–24 win over the Dolphins and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. In the game, he threw a record-tying 99-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker. Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the following game against the Chargers. He had 423 yards and three touchdowns in the 35–21 victory. Brady closed out the season being named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November and December. In addition, he was the Week 16 AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Brady had a statistically successful season, and in the regular season finale against the Bills (a 49–21 win), he became the fourth quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, finishing with 5,235.

2012: Breaks NFL Record for Completions

During the 2012 season, Brady broke his own NFL record for completions in a season, as well as Matthew Stafford's record for pass attempts in a season.

2012: Brady leads Patriots to 12-4 record and earns multiple AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards

During the 2012 season, Tom Brady started all 16 regular season games and led the Patriots to a 12–4 record. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week three times in Weeks 4, 8, and 14. He became the first quarterback to lead his team to ten division titles. With a 557-point total, the Patriots became the first team to score at least 500 points in a season four different times, with Brady leading all four squads, also a record. He finished the season with 4,827 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, only eight interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.7. Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his career.

2012: Brady ranked fourth-best player in the NFL

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

2012: High school stadium named in his honor

In 2012, after Tom Brady visited Junípero Serra High School following Super Bowl XLVI, the school administrators named the football stadium Brady Family Stadium.

2013: Brady ranked fourth by fellow players on NFL Top 100

In 2013, Tom Brady was ranked fourth by his fellow players for the second consecutive year on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

2013: Greatest Passing Season Ever by ESPN

Tom Brady finished the 2007 season with 4,806 passing yards, 50 touchdown passes, eight interceptions, and a career-high 117.2 passer rating. It was unanimously voted the greatest passing season ever by ESPN in 2013. He was named the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. He was honored by the Associated Press as their Male Athlete of the Year. He was named as a First-Team All-Pro and to his fourth career Pro Bowl.

2014: Brady leads Patriots to AFC East title, named to Pro Bowl, and ranked on NFL Top 100

In 2014, Tom Brady started the season with a loss to the Dolphins. After a slow start, Brady led the Patriots to a seven-game winning streak and won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Brady clinched his NFL record 12th AFC East division title and was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl. He was also ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 list.

2014: Brady named to Pro Bowl and Patriots reach AFC Championship

In 2014, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time in his career and was ranked third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list in the off-season. The Patriots finished the season 12–4 to earn the second seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. Brady made his 25th playoff appearance, breaking Brett Favre's career record for playoff appearances by a quarterback. The Patriots lost 26–16 to the Broncos in the AFC Championship.

2015: Brady Ranked on NFL Top 100

In 2015, Tom Brady was ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

December 20, 2016: Brady named to Pro Bowl for eighth straight season

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

2017: League MVP

In 2017, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2017: Brady ranked first on NFL Top 100 Players

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

2018: End of 8 Consecutive AFC Championship Game Appearances

From 2011 to 2018, Tom Brady led the Patriots to eight consecutive AFC Championship Games.

2019: End of 11 Consecutive Division Titles

From 2009 to 2019, Tom Brady led the Patriots to 11 consecutive division titles.

2019: Named to 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 2019, Tom Brady was unanimously named to the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

2021: Brady defeats all 32 teams

In 2021, Tom Brady became one of four quarterbacks to defeat all 32 teams.

September 10, 2023: Patriots Hall of Fame Candidacy Waived

During a halftime ceremony on September 10, 2023, Robert Kraft announced that the traditional four-year post-retirement waiting period required for Brady's candidacy to the Patriots Hall of Fame would be waived, and he would be directly inducted without the customary ballot.

2023: 2004 New England Patriots Last NFL Team to Win Second Straight Super Bowl

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

June 12, 2024: Patriots Hall of Fame Induction

On June 12, 2024, Brady was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Gillette Stadium, becoming the first person in Gillette Stadium history to become a "Keeper of the Light."