TB12 to Tampa: The final chapter in a storied career
Trey Stewart, Sports Editor
Graphic courtesy of Taylor Loughry
The Tom Brady era in Foxburough has come to a poetic end.
In a letter published to Brady’s Instagram page on March 17, Brady addresses Patriots fans in a parting note:
“…Pats nation will always be a part of me. I don’t know what my football future holds, but it is time for me to open a new stage for my life and career. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will always love you and what we have shared – a lifetime full of fun memories.”
Just three days after saying his goodbyes to the city and organization that helped turn TB12 into a brand recognized across the world, Brady signed a 2 year/$50 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady will now take over an offensive that has shown flashes of potential for years, yet found little success with Jameis Winston at the helm.
Tom Brady’s rapid rise to success was just as improbable as it was incredible. Drafted by New England in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft, few expected Brady to even squeak his way through training camp and onto a regular-season NFL squad. But after impressive showings in his first ever preseason games, Brady made the Patriots roster that year, serving as backup to starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
However, after Bledsoe fell to injury in the Patriots third game of that season, the Patriots were forced to put the rookie out of Michigan into the starting lineup. Three MVP awards, six Super Bowl championships and four Super Bowl MVP’s later, Brady stands as arguably the greatest quarterback and player to ever grace a football field.
“I don’t think there’s any debate about his greatness,” says NGU junior and avid Patriots fan Dawson Martin. “He’s broken so many records and consistently been the best quarterback for nearly two decades now. If he isn’t the greatest of all time, who is?”
As he begins to enter what will likely be the final two seasons of his career, all eyes will be on Brady to see whether he is able to bring home one more championship before his storied time in the league is over. He joins what will arguably be the most competitive division in the NFL this upcoming season, with both the Saints and Falcons making impressive moves during the offseason to establish themselves as contenders in the NFC.
Brady will team up with arguably the greatest wide-receiver tandem in the entire league, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Both receivers finished in the top five for receiving yards in 2019. This was arguably the most blatant weakness in New England’s offense last year, with Julian Edelman being Brady’s only true reliable option at the wideout position.
Can Tom Brady cement his legacy further and bring a title to another city before he rides off into the sunset? It remains to be seen, but no matter the results of the upcoming two seasons, Brady has already established his place among the all-time football greats. And no matter how Brady’s tenure in Tampa pans out, no one will be debating his place in football’s top-tier of talent when he hangs up his cleats at last.
