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 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, leading them to a dynasty from 2001 to 2019, and then finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His accomplishments include multiple Super Bowl wins and numerous individual records, solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in the sport.

Sections (7)

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

1972: Patriots match 1972 Miami Dolphins

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

1978: First Undefeated Regular Season

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

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

2000: Drafted by the New England Patriots

In 2000, Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots, as the 199th overall pick. He was a compensatory pick the Patriots earned due to the loss of punter Tom Tupa. Brady was the seventh quarterback taken. He and his family were stunned, believing he would be drafted earlier. Patriots owner Robert Kraft recalled Brady introducing himself with a pizza box, and Brady stating he was "the best decision this organization has ever made."

2001: AFC Offensive Player of the Week

During the 2001 season, in the Patriots' fifth game, Tom Brady led the team to a 29–26 victory against the San Diego Chargers. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time. He was also nominated AFC Offensive Player of the Week after a four-touchdown day in a 34–17 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 11 of 2001. Brady finished the 2001 season with 2,843 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, earning an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

2002: Super Bowl XXXVI MVP

In 2002, Tom Brady started in the Super Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome. The Patriots won 20-17 against the Rams. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP throwing for 145 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. At 24 years and 6 months, Brady became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. In April 2002, Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills, cementing Brady's status as the Patriots' starting quarterback.

2003: Patriots equal their 2003 record with a 14-2 season

During the 2004 season, the Patriots equaled their 2003 record and finished with a 14-2 record, which was the best regular season record for a defending champion at the time.

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: Set NFL record with 21 straight wins

During the 2004 season, 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, equaling their 2003 record and the best regular-season record ever for a defending champion at the time. Brady threw for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns, with a 92.6 passer rating, and was voted to his second Pro Bowl.

2004: Peyton Manning's Record of 49 Touchdowns

During the last game of the 2007 season against the Giants, Brady broke Peyton Manning's single-season record of 49 touchdowns from 2004.

2004: Super Bowl XXXIX Champions

In 2004, Brady led the Patriots to wins over the Colts and the Steelers. Against the NFL's best defense, he recorded a quarterback passer rating of 130.5. In Super Bowl XXXIX, the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24–21, 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

During the 2005 season, Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 5 350-yard, three-touchdown victory over the Falcons. Brady finished the season with 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns, the former of which led the league in 2005. He was named to his third Pro Bowl.

2007: Named League MVP

In 2007, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2007: Undefeated Regular Season

In the 2007 season, Tom Brady led the Patriots to the first 16–0 regular-season record in NFL history. Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and October in 2007. In a Week 6 game against the Dallas Cowboys, he had a career-high five passing touchdowns in a 48–27 win. The next week, he had another record day, with a career-high six passing touchdowns, setting a franchise record. During the last game of the season against the Giants, Brady threw his 50th touchdown of the season, breaking Peyton Manning's single-season record of 49 from 2004.

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, tying his career-high from the 2007 season, and 380 yards, with a passer rating of 152.8. 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. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

2009: AFC Offensive Player of the Week

In 2009, during the season opener against the Bills, 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 against the Bills.

2010: Named League MVP

In 2010, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2010: Green Bay Packers Championship Season

The 2011 Green Bay Packers defended their 2010 championship season by surpassing the 2004 Patriots record for best regular season record for a defending champion with a 15-1 record.

2011: Green Bay Packers surpass the 2004 Patriots record

The 2011 Green Bay Packers surpassed the 2004 Patriots record for best regular season record for a defending champion with a 15-1 record, defending their 2010 championship season.

2012: Junipero Serra High School names football stadium Brady Family Stadium

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

2012: Breaks NFL record for completions and pass attempts

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

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

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

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.

2017: Brady's Achievements in 2017 NFL Season

In 2017, Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's record for most AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards. He set the record for most regular season wins in NFL history, won his third AFC Offensive Player of the Month, was selected to the Pro Bowl for the 13th time, became the oldest quarterback to start all of his team's games in an NFL regular season, led the league in passing yards, was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player.

2017: Named League MVP

In 2017, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2018: Brady Ranked #1 on NFL Top 100 Players of 2018

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

2019: Brady's 19th NFL Season

In 2019, Tom Brady's 500th career touchdown pass went to Josh Gordon. Brady secured his 200th career regular season win, reached 70,000 passing yards, and clinched the AFC East pennant for the 10th consecutive season and 16th time in 18 years. He earned his 14th career Pro Bowl nomination and was ranked sixth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

2020: Brady's Last Game as a Patriot

In 2020, during the Wild Card Round game against the Titans, Tom Brady's final pass attempt as a Patriot was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, resulting in a 20-13 loss for New England. During the NFL's celebration of their 100th season, Brady was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team and was ranked 14th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.

2021: Brady's Achievements in the 2021 Season

In 2021, Tom Brady earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Brady became the first quarterback in NFL history to record 600 touchdown passes, surpassed Brees for most all-time pass completions, and became the first quarterback to record 700 touchdown passes in regular season and postseason combined. He finished the season with an NFL record 485 pass completions for a career-high 5,316 passing yards. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the 15th time.

2021: Brady Leads Buccaneers to Super Bowl LV Victory

In 2021, Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to a 31-9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, winning his seventh Super Bowl and fifth Super Bowl MVP award. He was also the oldest quarterback in Super Bowl history to start, play, win, and receive the MVP award. He was ranked seventh by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

September 10, 2023: Kraft Waives Waiting Period for Hall of Fame Induction

During a halftime ceremony on September 10, 2023, Robert Kraft announced he would waive the traditional four-year waiting period for Brady's candidacy to the Patriots Hall of Fame, directly inducting him without a ballot.

2023: The 2004 Patriots as the last NFL team to win a second straight Super Bowl up until 2023

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 and became a "Keeper of the Light" at Gillette Stadium, marking the date chosen in reference to the number of championships Brady won in New England.