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 an American former professional football quarterback renowned as the greatest of all time. He played 23 seasons in the NFL, spending 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, where he spearheaded their dynasty from 2001 to 2019. He concluded his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing for three seasons.

Sections (7)

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

1978: First undefeated regular season

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 Montana won in 1990.

2000: Won the 2000 Orange Bowl

In 2000, Tom Brady led Michigan to an overtime win in the Orange Bowl against Alabama, throwing for 369 yards and four touchdowns.

2001: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Nominations

In 2001, Tom Brady began to find his stride, leading the Patriots to victory over the San Diego Chargers and earning his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination. Brady later won his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination after a four-touchdown performance against the New Orleans Saints. He finished the 2001 season with 2,843 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, earning an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

2002: Playoff Game Since 2002

In 2002, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won a playoff game for the first time since 2002, as a result of the help of Tom Brady.

2002: Super Bowl XXXVI MVP

In 2002, Tom Brady returned from his knee injury to start in Super Bowl XXXVI. Brady drove the Patriots' offense down the field to set up a game-winning field goal, giving the Patriots a 20–17 win and their first league championship. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP and became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Later in April 2002, Drew Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills, cementing Brady's status as the Patriots' starting quarterback.

2003: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Awards

After opening the 2003 season at 2-2, Brady led the Patriots to twelve consecutive victories. In Week 14, he recorded a 36-yard punt. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice, in Weeks 9 and 17. Brady finished with 3,620 passing yards and 23 touchdowns and was third in NFL MVP voting.

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.

2004: NFL Record

During the 2004 season, Brady helped the Patriots set an NFL record with 21 straight wins dating from the previous year. Brady threw for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns, with a 92.6 passer rating, and was voted to his second Pro Bowl.

2004: Super Bowl XXXIX Champions

In 2004, Brady led the Patriots to a Super Bowl XXXIX victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, capturing their third championship in four years. Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

2005: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Award

During the 2005 season, Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 5 victory over the Falcons. Brady finished the season with 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns and was named to his third Pro Bowl.

2007: Postseason Since 2007

In 2007, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Reached postseason since 2007, as a result of the help of Tom Brady.

2007: AFC Offensive Player of the Month Award

In 2007, Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and October. Brady led the Patriots to the first 16–0 regular-season record in NFL history. He was named as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week five times and had a career-high six passing touchdowns. During the last game of the season, Brady threw his 50th touchdown of the season.

2007: Named League MVP

In 2007, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

October 18, 2009: Brady sets NFL record against the Titans

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, tying his career-high from the 2007 season, and 380 yards, completing 29-of-34 attempts, resulting in a passer rating of 152.8. The Patriots' 59–0 victory tied the record for the largest margin of victory since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger and set a record for the largest halftime lead in NFL history, which was 45–0. Brady also won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game.

2009: Return and Victory

In the 2009 season opener, Tom Brady's first game in more than a year, he threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots were down 24–13 before Brady led them to a 25–24 win. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Bills.

2010: Named Unanimous MVP

In 2010, Tom Brady was named unanimous MVP.

2012: Brady Family Stadium named

In 2012, after Tom Brady visited Junípero Serra High School after Super Bowl XLVI, the school's administrators announced they were naming the football stadium Brady Family Stadium.

2012: Broke NFL Record

In 2012, during Week 18 against the Falcons, Tom Brady broke his own NFL record for completions in a season, as well as Matthew Stafford's 2012 record for pass attempts in a season.

2013: Greatest Passing Season Ever

In 2013, ESPN unanimously voted Tom Brady's 2007 season as the greatest passing season ever. 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.

December 20, 2016: Brady named to Pro Bowl

On December 20, 2016, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth straight season and 12th time overall, marking another achievement in his NFL career.

2017: Brady breaks record for most AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards

In 2017, Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's record for the most AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards in a career and was named NFL Most Valuable Player. He also led the league in passing yards.

2017: Named League MVP

In 2017, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2018: Ranked No. 1 on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2018, Tom Brady was ranked No. 1 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players for the second straight year.

2019: Brady's 500th Career Touchdown Pass

In 2019, Tom Brady started his 19th NFL season, secured his 200th career regular season win, reached 70,000 passing yards, and earned his 14th career Pro Bowl nomination.

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.

2020: Named to NFL 100 All-Time Team

During the NFL's celebration of their 100th season in 2020, Tom Brady was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

2020: Led Tampa Bay to Wild Card Berth

In 2020, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a wild card berth.

2021: Breaks records in 2021 season

In 2021, Tom Brady achieved several milestones including 600 touchdown passes, most all-time pass completions, and 700 touchdown passes combined in the regular season and postseason.

2021: Beat All 32 Teams

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

2021: Wins Super Bowl LV

In 2021, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl LV, winning his fifth Super Bowl MVP award and his seventh Super Bowl ring.

2022: Led Tampa Bay to NFC South Title

In 2022, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an NFC South title.

September 10, 2023: Patriots Hall of Fame Candidacy

During a halftime ceremony on September 10, 2023, Robert Kraft announced that Tom Brady's candidacy to the Patriots Hall of Fame would bypass the traditional waiting period.

June 12, 2024: Patriots Hall of Fame Induction

On June 12, 2024, Tom 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".