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, widely considered the greatest of all time. He played 23 seasons in the NFL, leading the New England Patriots for 20 years and contributing significantly to their dynasty. He concluded his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His accomplishments include numerous Super Bowl wins and records, solidifying his legendary status in the sport.

Sections (7)

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

1998: Starting Job at Michigan

In 1998, Tom Brady started every game for the Michigan Wolverines, earning All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. He also set Michigan records for most pass attempts and completions in a season.

1999: Starting Job at Michigan

In 1999, Tom Brady started every game for the Michigan Wolverines for the second season, earning All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention and becoming team captain.

1999: Platooning and Starting in 1999 Season

In the 1999 season, Tom Brady platooned with Drew Henson for the first seven games before securing the starting quarterback position exclusively for the remainder of the season.

2000: Wins at the 2000 Orange Bowl

In 2000, Tom Brady posted a 20-5 record, including wins at the 1999 Citrus Bowl and 2000 Orange Bowl.

2000: Drafted by New England Patriots

In 2000, Tom Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round as the 199th overall pick. Coming out of college, he was not highly regarded. He was grateful to be drafted as he would not have to be an insurance salesman. Robert Kraft recalled meeting Brady with a pizza box and Brady declaring he was the best decision the organization ever made.

2001: Start of Patriots Dynasty

From 2001 to 2019, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots dynasty, commonly referred to as the Brady–Belichick era.

2001: Central Contributor to Patriots Dynasty

In 2001, Tom Brady became a central contributor to the New England Patriots' dynasty.

2001: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Nominations

In 2001, Tom Brady led the Patriots to victory against the San Diego Chargers. He finished with 364 yards and two touchdowns, earning his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He won a second nomination after a game at Indianapolis, and another after a four-touchdown game against the New Orleans Saints.

2002: Super Bowl Victory and MVP Award

In 2002, Tom Brady started in the Super Bowl, leading the Patriots to a 20-17 win against the Rams. He drove the offense down the field to set up 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.

2003: Regular Season Success

After a 2-2 start in 2003, Tom Brady led the Patriots to twelve consecutive victories, finishing the regular season at 14-2, winning the AFC East. He also recorded a 36-yard punt in a game against the Dolphins. Brady finished with 3,620 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.

2003: NFL MVP Voting

In 2003, Tom Brady finished with 3,620 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, and was third in NFL MVP voting to co-winners Peyton Manning and Steve McNair.

2003: Consecutive Titles

In 2003, Tom Brady helped the Patriots win consecutive titles.

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 for Consecutive Wins

During the 2004 season, Tom Brady and the Patriots set an NFL record with 21 straight wins dating from the previous year. The Patriots finished with a 14-2 record, equaling their 2003 record and winning the AFC East title for the third time in four years. Brady threw for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns and was voted to his second Pro Bowl.

2004: Consecutive Titles

In 2004, Tom Brady helped the Patriots win consecutive titles.

2004: Super Bowl XXXIX Victory

In 2004, Tom Brady led the Patriots to wins over the Colts and the Steelers to reach Super Bowl XXXIX. They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21, capturing their third championship in four years, becoming the first franchise since the Dallas Cowboys to do so. Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

2005: Season Achievements and Pro Bowl Selection

During the 2005 season, Tom Brady adjusted to changes in the Patriots' running backs and center positions. Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week after a 350-yard, three-touchdown victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the season with 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the league in passing yards. He was named to his third Pro Bowl.

2007: League MVP

In 2007, Tom Brady was named league MVP.

2007: Record-Breaking Season and Offensive Player Awards

In 2007, Tom Brady, with an overhauled receiver corps, had one of his best seasons. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and October. Brady led the Patriots to a 16-0 regular-season record, outscoring opponents by an average of 37-17. He had a career-high five passing touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys and six against the Dolphins, setting a franchise record. He broke Peyton Manning's record of consecutive games with three or more touchdowns, reaching nine games. Against the Giants, Brady threw his 50th touchdown of the season, breaking Manning's single-season record. Tom Brady was named as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week five times.

October 18, 2009: Brady Sets NFL Record for Touchdowns in a Quarter

On October 18, 2009, Tom Brady set an NFL record against the Titans for most touchdowns in a single quarter, throwing five in the second quarter. He finished the game with six touchdowns, tying his career-high, and 380 passing yards. The Patriots won 59–0, tying the record for the largest margin of victory since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. He was later named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

2009: Start of 11 Consecutive Division Titles

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

2009: Brady's 2009 Season

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

2009: Return from Injury

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

2010: Brady Selected to 2010 Pro Bowl

In 2009, Brady was selected as a reserve to the 2010 Pro Bowl.

2010: Unanimous MVP

In 2010, Tom Brady was named league MVP for the second time, but this time unanimously.

2010: Brady named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year

In 2011, Tom Brady was named the 2010 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. By unanimous decision, he won the MVP award for the second time in his career.

2011: Start of Eight Consecutive AFC Championship Games

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

2011: Brady Selected as Starter to 2011 Pro Bowl

In 2011, Tom Brady was selected as a starter to the Pro Bowl. He pulled out of the game after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot. Brady was also the only unanimous selection for the AP All-Pro Team and was named the 2010 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He also won the MVP award for the second time. He was also ranked the best player in the NFL by his peers.

2011: Brady Throws Career-High 517 Yards

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. In the game, he threw a record-tying 99-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker. 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.

2012: Brady Ranked Fourth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2012

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

2012: Brady Leads Patriots to 12-4 Record in 2012

In 2012, 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. He became the first quarterback to lead his team to ten division titles. 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: Football Stadium Named After Brady Family

In 2012, after Super Bowl XLVI, Junípero Serra High School named its football stadium Brady Family Stadium in honor of Tom Brady.

2012: Breaks NFL Record

In 2012, against the Falcons, 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: Brady Ranked Fourth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2013

In 2012, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his career. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013, Brady was ranked fourth by his fellow players for the second consecutive year.

2013: Greatest Passing Season Ever by ESPN

In 2013, ESPN voted Tom Brady's 2007 season as the greatest passing season ever. He finished the season with 4,806 passing yards, 50 touchdown passes, eight interceptions, and a career-high 117.2 passer rating.

2013: Brady Breaks TD:INT Ratio Record

In 2016, Tom Brady ended the regular season with 28 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions, breaking the previous TD:INT ratio record of Nick Foles's 27:2 figure set in 2013 with the Eagles.

2014: Brady Named to Pro Bowl for Ninth Time

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.

2014: Brady's Season and AFC East Division Title

Tom Brady started the 2014 season with a loss to the Dolphins. He led the Patriots to a seven-game winning streak. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Brady clinched his NFL record 12th AFC East division title with a Week 14 win against the San Diego Chargers.

2015: Brady Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 List

In 2014, Tom Brady was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl and was ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 list.

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 2015 NFL season, citing the NFL's failure to provide proper notice of the charges.

December 20, 2016: Brady Named to Pro Bowl for the Twelfth Time

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

2016: Brady Returns from Suspension and Earns 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. Brady's performance in his first four games after the suspension earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for October.

2016: Brady's Performance and Team Challenges in 2016

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

2017: 2017 Season Achievements

During the 2017 season, Brady achieved several milestones, including winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week multiple times, setting a record for most regular season wins in NFL history, being selected to the Pro Bowl for the 13th time, leading the league in passing yards, being named a first-team All-Pro, and being named the NFL Most Valuable Player for the third time.

2017: Brady Ranked First on NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

In 2016, 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.

2017: League MVP

In 2017, Tom Brady was named league MVP for the third time.

2018: Ranked No. 1 on NFL Top 100 Players of 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: End of Patriots Dynasty

From 2001 to 2019, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots dynasty, commonly referred to as the Brady–Belichick era.

2019: 19th NFL Season

In 2019, Brady reached his 19th NFL season with the patriots. In Week 5, Brady's 500th career touchdown pass went to Josh Gordon. In Week 6, Brady secured his 200th career regular season win. In Week 15, Brady reached 70,000 passing yards. He earned his 14th career Pro Bowl nomination. He was ranked sixth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

2019: Named to 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. He was ranked 14th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.

2020: Wild Card Berth

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

2021: Record-Breaking Season

During the 2021 season, Tom Brady set an NFL record with 485 pass completions for a career-high 5,316 passing yards. He became the oldest player in NFL history to pass for at least 5,000 yards and marked his 15th Pro Bowl nomination.

2021: Defeat All 32 Teams

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

2021: Super Bowl LV Victory

In 2021, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31–9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the game, extending his record for most Super Bowl wins and Super Bowl MVP awards. He also became the second quarterback to lead two different teams to Super Bowl wins, and the first to win Super Bowl MVP with two different teams. He was ranked seventh by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

2021: Set Season Record

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

2022: NFC South Titles

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

September 10, 2023: Hall of Fame Announcement

During a halftime ceremony on September 10, 2023, Robert Kraft announced that Brady's candidacy to the Patriots Hall of Fame would be expedited, and he would be directly inducted without the customary ballot.

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, where he was also named a "Keeper of the Light."