The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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86 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2021 BY AUSTIN FOX M ost NFL observers already viewed Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady as the great- est to ever play the game heading into this year 's Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, though there were still some doubters. Brady quieted the naysayers, how- ever, by leading his club to a 31-9 triumph over the Chiefs, marking his NFL-record seventh Super Bowl title. He also took home the Super Bowl MVP award for a re- cord fifth time. One of the most incredible aspects surrounding the c h a m p i o n s h i p was that Brady led his squad to the sport's apex at 43 years old. The Buccaneers had been a subpar organization prior to his arrival, with their last playoff ap- pearance before this year coming in 2007. From 2011-19, the organization enjoyed just one winning season. Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Ari- ans admitted "it only took one man" to change the culture following the Buccaneers' NFC championship win over Green Bay at Lambeau Field. "My father had an expression — if you want to know the road ahead, ask the person who's been there," Tampa Bay owner Joel Glazer said during the Super Bowl postgame trophy presentation. "We found that person — Tom Brady." "Seriously, has any one athlete instantly changed the fortunes of one team in one season like Brady with the Bucs?" Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times wrote. "Has one athlete's mere presence had such a sweeping impact on so many people so quickly? "What Brady accomplished this sea- son was more than just awesome. It was pretty much unbelievable. He left the New England Patriots' dynasty for a franchise with the worst win- ning percentage among all four major sports. He joined a team that had not MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Tom Brady Wins His Seventh Super Bowl, Capping Off Incredible Season Brady connected on 21 of 29 throws for 201 yards with three touchdowns and no intercep- tions to lead the Buccaneers to a 31-9 victory versus Kansas City in Super Bowl LV. PHOTO BY MATT MAY/COURTESY TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS