The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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78 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 MICHIGAN IN THE PROS BY CLAYTON SAYFIE L egendary quarterback Tom Brady had options as a free agent this off- season, and there was much specula- tion as to what the 45-year-old would choose to do. He could return to Tampa Bay or head to Las Vegas or San Francisco. Some even predicted he'd go back to New England, where he spent 20 years and won six Super Bowls. Brady, though, decided to hang it up, "for good" this time, he announced in a video on social media Feb. 1. That comes a year after he retired but returned following a 40-day hiatus, then played his 23rd NFL season. The seven-time Super Bowl cham- pion leaves the game as the most deco- rated player in its history and will enter the broadcast booth in 2024 for FOX Sports, with which he has a 10-year, $375 million contract in place. "I put it out on the field for 23 years and I'm super proud of what's been ac- complished," Brady said on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd. "I just wanted to keep [the announcement] really short and sweet. And I felt like I've given a lot, I've gained a lot, I've learned a lot. Life is about exciting things ahead, too. So, when one thing closes like football has for me, for 32 years of my life, I look forward to what's ahead. "I loved my time in football, abso- lutely. An incredible love in my life, and it's hard to make decisions like that, but it's certainly the right time." The three-time NFL MVP and five- time Super Bowl MVP has won 251 ca- reer games, the most by any quarter- back, many of which came with head coach Bill Belichick and the New Eng- land Patriots. Belichick joined Brady on his "Let's Go!" podcast to discuss his career and retirement, sharing some touching words. "The greatest player, the greatest ca- reer," Belichick said of Brady, who was visibly emotional. "A great, great person. It was such an opportunity and an honor for me to coach Tom. I guess it's gotta end at some point. But it's the greatest one ever. So, congratulations, Tom." ❏ 1st In NFL history is where Tom Brady ranks in regular- season wins (251), Pro Bowl appearances (15), Super Bowl MVP awards (five), starts (333), completions (7,753), pass attempts (12,050), passing yards (89,214), pass- ing touchdowns (649), three-touchdown games (104) and four-touchdown outings (39). In the postseason, he leads the all-time records with 20 ap- pearances, 48 games started, 35 wins (the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots have the most playoff wins by any franchise with 37), 1,200 completions, 13,400 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, 14 game-winning drives and nine fourth-quarter comebacks. 5 Years until Tom Brady will surely be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. It's actually been argued that Brady has put together three HOF careers, one in his 20s (more than 21,000 yards, 147 touchdowns, three Super Bowls), one in his 30s (more than 40,000 yards, 309 touch- downs, two MVPs, one Super Bowl) and one in his 40s (more than 27,000 yards, 193 touchdowns, three Super Bowls). 13 Teams have played in fewer playoff games than Brady has won (35). 17.5 Percent of all Super Bowls have included Tom Brady as a starting quarterback (10 of 57). John Elway has the second-most Super Bowl starts at quarterback with five; Brady has started five Super Bowls since he turned 37 years old. The former Michigan quarterback has won 12.3 percent of all Super Bowls (seven of 57), and his seven victo- ries in the big game are the most of any player. 21 Seasons as an NFL starting quarterback — taking out 2008, the season in which he tore his ACL. In those, Tom Brady had as many Super Bowl wins as seasons that ended before the conference title game (seven). His teams made the playoffs 20 times and won 19 division titles. 50.1 Percent of Tom Brady's life was spent in the NFL. He had 8,292 days between his birth and the day he was drafted, and 8,325 days between his draft day and his retirement. Tom Brady Retires From Football 'For Good' Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, will surely be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer five years from now. PHOTO COURTESY TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS By The Numbers: Crazy Tom Brady Stats