The Wolverine

August 2018

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1005764

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 45 of 83

46 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2018 BY AUSTIN FOX F ootball has long been the sport where for- mer Wolverines have achieved the most pro- fessional success. Although that is still the case, former Michigan Men made headlines in plenty of other avenues in 2017-18 as well. The Maize and Blue were well rep- resented in the pro ranks throughout the past year, with athletes making waves in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. Here is our annual list of U- M's 10 best professional athletes from the four major sports: 1. TOM BRADY, QB NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (NFL) Even at age 40, placing Brady in the No. 1 spot on this list was a no-brainer, especially af- ter he compiled one of the best seasons of his storied career in 2017. The veteran signal-caller in his 18th year was either at or near the top of the NFL in most passing categories, leading it in yards (4,577) and yards per game (286.1) while ranking sec- ond in touchdown-to-interception ratio (32-8). He helped lead the Patriots to a 13-3 regular season and their eighth Super Bowl appearance with him at the helm. Although New England's season ended in defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, Brady still man- aged to throw for an NFL postseason- record 505 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on the game's biggest stage. It capped an incredible playoff run, where he completed 89 of 139 passes (64.0 percent) for 1,132 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. He led the league in postseason completions, attempts, passing yards, touchdowns and touchdown-to-interception ratio. Brady took home league MVP honors for the third time, reeled in a 13th Pro Bowl selection and gar- nered first-team All-Pro accolades. He was also listed the No. 1 player on the NFL Network's annual Top 100 list, which is voted on by the Brady became the first to ever top the NFL Network's annual Top 100 list in back-to- back seasons after the 2017 campaign. It was his third time the players voted him the league's best. He is the only player to earn that honor more than once. PHOTO COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS/JIM MAHONEY

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - August 2018