Tom Brady Shares Heartfelt Message To Patriots Nation Announcing He’s Leaving New England

Brady famously was a sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft (No. 199 overall) and started his career as Drew Bledsoe’s backup. When Bledsoe was injured in the second game of the 2001 season, Brady stepped in and promptly led the team to an 11-3 record the rest of the regular season and a Super Bowl title.

The starting job has been Brady’s since, marking one of the longest stretches of dominance in professional sports. 

The only blights on Brady’s resume are the two major Patriots scandals throughout the years, Spygate and Deflategate, with the latter directly involving the signal-caller. But his composure under pressure in late-game situations, and his longevity, consistency and success make him perhaps the most decorated player in NFL history.

His eschewing retirement for at least another season won’t surprise many. But his leaving the Patriots is a surprise. Seeing Brady playing for a new team will be strange in 2020. New decade, new Brady.   

For the first time in his career, Tom Brady will play his home games outside Foxborough, Massachusetts, after he announced via Twitter he will not return to the New England Patriots on Tuesday: 

Brady, 42, will go down as arguably the greatest quarterback, and perhaps player, in NFL history. The superstar is a six-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Super Bowl MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL MVP. Since becoming a starter in 2001, he led the Patriots to 17 AFC East titles, 17 postseason berths and nine trips to the Super Bowl.

He’s also second all-time in passing touchdowns (541) and second in passing yards (74,571). No coach and quarterback duo has won more regular-season games (219) and postseason games (30) than Bill Belichick and Brady, and it’s not close.

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