The haters must face it; there is no one better than Tom Brady.
Even before this year’s Super Bowl it would be tough to argue against the fact that Brady is best player in North American team sports history. A win against Jacksonville in the AFC Championship game Jan. 21 secured Brady his eighth Super Bowl appearance, marking the most championship game appearances by a player in the NFL. Not even Kobe Bryant with seven championship appearances, or Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter with six, have reached Brady’s feat.
Brady might have fallen short of a record-breaking six Super Bowl wins against Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII, but he did not fall short of individual greatness. His 505 passing yards marks the most in Super Bowl history. His 48 passes with no interceptions in a Super Bowl is also a new record. No doubt about it, Brady is still the greatest of all time, despite not scoring on the final drive of the game. Brandon Graham’s strip at the end was the only sack for both teams, in a game where both teams combined for 74 points. one point shy for most combined points in Super Bowl history.
Although growing older in age, Brady continues to play at an elite level. He is just the 14th quarterback to start a game beyond the age of 39, the second to make a pro bowl, the second to win a playoff game, and the first to reach a Super Bowl. On top of it all, he won the MVP award this year. No other player has won MVP past age 38. With this accomplishment, Brady became the first NFL player to win three Super Bowls and three MVP awards in his career.
Brady’s statistics may not be the greatest in NFL history. He is still 51 passing touchdowns short of Peyton Manning’s all-time record. Aaron Rodgers also has a higher career touchdown-to-interception ratio, while Rodgers and Russell Wilson have higher career passer ratings. But no one has won more than Brady. His 27 playoff wins surpass every quarterback, as no one has won more than 16. Although his five Super Bowls may not be the most by a player in general, they do mark the most for a quarterback in NFL history.
With five Super Bowls, four Super Bowl MVPs, three NFL MVPs and 13 career Pro Bowls, how is Brady not the G.O.A.T? Only Jordan has won more championships in sports history with six. Yet, he won his last one when he was 35, as his career dwindled due to his second retirement. No one else has ever been able to play at a consistent, championship level at his age like Brady has.
After the Super Bowl, The Morning Call quoted Brady by stating, “I expect to be back.” There is no stoping this man. In fact, his loss in this year’s Super Bowl might even bring more drive to win one last one, with multiple all-time statistic records still within reach. The sixth-round pick has proven scouts and critics wrong his entire career, and continues to do so as he plays into his 40s. There is no disputing, Tom Brady is the greatest to ever do it.