So, after 20 years and six Super Bowls, that’s it. The GOAT, more commonly known as Tom Brady, has played his last game for the New England Patriots. His future now lies in Florida at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady, 42, announced this week that he was leaving one of the most successful sports franchises of modern times after becoming a free agent this off-season. Drafted by the Pats in 2000, Brady was an unfancied 199th draft pick who went on to become arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL.
Alongside legendary coach Bill Belichick, Brady led the Pats to Super Bowl titles in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018. He also lost three Super Bowl finals. Not only this, Brady also holds records across the board in the NFL, including: the highest number of Super Bowl appearances (9), Super Bowl MVP awards, division titles, play-off wins and passing yards in the regular season and play-offs.
His legendary status has come at a price, though, following deflate-gate in 2014, which many fans still hold over him. In the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, Brady was found guilty of orchestrating the deflation of a number of the game balls, an act which makes them easier to catch and throw. The Pats won the game 45-7 but it came at a cost – Brady was suspended for four matches and the team was fined $1m.
The question now turns to how Brady and the Bucs will get along? Many expected him to head back west to either the LA Chargers or soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders, with both set to move into brand new super stadiums. One thing is for sure, capturing the GOAT’s signature will guarantee sell-out crowds in Tampa.
