Back to business. It's playoff time and there are several WHOA candidates itching to make the list (Well maybe not, but at least I'm itching for them!).
Getting right to it, I don't think anyone can deny our next winner, Tom Brady. Lets start with the 2010 season.
A little scare started Brady's season after he was involved in an early morning car accident September 10, 2010. No injuries, no worries. Later that day, he signed a four-year $72 million contract with the New England Patriots, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Impressive.
The preseason ended with a 2-2 record and the regular-season was off to a substantial start. By the Bye week, they were 3-1. But Brady did something not all QBs have. The game before their week off, a Dolphin defeat became the quickest, 100th regular-season win for a quarterback. Way to go Tom!
But hang on, there's more... Brady broke another record by winning his 26th consecutive regular-season home start, surpassing Brett Favre's record of 25. And by the end of the season he broke two more records. Brady went nine straight games with two touchdowns and no interceptions, breaking Don Meredith's record of six. Following that, he topped the regular-season off with a record of 335 consecutive passes without an interception.
The only thing Brady did wrong this season? The Bieber hair-do.
ANYWAY... now that we have the 2010 season covered, let me take you back in time real quick.
He grew up in San Mateo, California idolizing then-quarterback of the 49ers, Joe Montana. And before he headed off towards a football career, he was drafted in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB draft as a catcher by the Montreal Expos. He chose football.
Brady was a back-up quarterback at the University of Michigan for his first two years. He took over the reigns, under Coach Lloyd Carr, his junior and senior years. By the end of his college career, Brady won two bowl games and was a senior team captain. But that success doesn't mean he was set up for stardom in the NFL.
In the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, Brady was selected by the New England Patriots. New England already had three quarterbacks to choose from, so Brady had some work to do. He landed the back-up position by the end of the season, trailing Drew Bledsoe.
Bledsoe started the 2001 season, but after a monstrous hit in the home-opener, he suffered internal bleeding. Brady stepped in but it took him some time to adjust. Not too much time though. Brady sealed the deal and won his first Super Bowl, MVP honors, and was declared the then-youngest quarterback to win the championship title.
Other notable years include the 2003-2004 season in which Brady won a second Super Bowl title and was again named MVP, and the 2004-2005 season where he claimed another championship. Three titles out of four years.
In the 2007-2008 season, Brady and the Patriots ended the regular-season perfectly. 16-0. After winning two playoff games they made it to the Super Bowl again. Hoping to capture the perfect season, they fell short. But Brady still took home awards including MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. He also broke Peyton Manning's record (49) of most touchdown passes in a single season, ceasing at 50.
And finally in the 2009-2010 season, he broke the record for throwing the most touchdowns in a quarter (5).
I could go on endlessly about how many records this guy has broken and how great of a quarterback he is. Looks are just an added plus!
To wrap it up, Tom Brady is a father of two sons. One of his sons is from a past relationship with actress, Bridget Moynahan and the other is from his current marriage with Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bundchen. He is also a charitable man who has donated time in Africa for AIDS, as well as supported the Best Buddies International program which provides opportunities for integrated employment and friendship for people with intellectual disabilities.
Home run hitter! Or shall I say TOUCHDOWN!
Brady is sure to entertain us soon since sealing his squad's spot in the playoffs. January 16, 2011 prepare for a good show as the Patriots take on the winner of the Ravens v. Chiefs game.
