A look at the highs, lows and controversies of NFL GOAT, Tom Brady
Teammate's revealing glimpse into Brady's mindset
Tom Brady won seven Super Bowl titles in his tenure with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the most by any player in NFL history and more Super Bowl titles than any franchise.
His ex-teammate, former New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi, gave a glimpse into the competitive fire that raged inside Brady, on the way to becoming the most accomplished player in NFL history.
"He took everything personal," Bruschi told ESPN.
"He was a killer out there sometimes, he would just come at you.
"When you talk trash to him he can't take it.
"I bet him once, I said 'I'll bet you 20 bucks, I'll pick you off in practice.'
"We go out there and practice, I pick him off, we come back.
"I want my money I'm talking trash in the locker room, I can't find him anywhere.
"He doesn't want to be seen, he's so upset. I go take a shower, come back to my locker, there's 20 bucks in my locker. He couldn't face me because he was so upset."
Tom Brady - Michigan Wolverines (1999)
Before his magical NFL career began, Tom Brady played college football at the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1999.
For the first two years, he was the backup quarterback to Brian Griese - who too was a future NFL quarterback.
Brady's first-ever pass for the Wolverines was an interception.
In his two seasons as a starter with the Wolverines, Brady finished with a 20-5 record that includes triumphs at the 1999 Citrus Bowl and the 2000 Orange Bowl.
Brady's iconic draft photo at 2000 NFL combine
Tom Brady's photoshoot at the 2000 NFL combine became a hilarious but iconic moment.
The seventh quarterback taken in the draft, he was drafted in the sixth round with the 199th overall pick by New England Patriots.
The scouting report on Brady at the time wasn't too kind.
He failed to impress at the NFL combine and was considered by scouts to be slow, while also lacking the powerful arm to disrupt a defence.
Tom Brady in action - NFL pre-season 2000
Tom Brady's life as an NFL player started in grinding fashion.
For the 2000 season, he began as the Patriots' fourth-string quarterback.
In that rookie season, he came off the bench to feature in one match.
In that game, a loss to the Detroit Lions on November 23, 2000, Brady finished 1-for-3 passing.
QBs - Tom Brady (left), Drew Bledsoe (right) 2001
Tom Brady started his second season as the Patriots' number two option for the quarterback position.
But that changed when Drew Bledsoe suffered a serious head injury, bringing Brady in for the fourth quarter of that match in the 2001 season.
New England lost the game to the New York Jets.
Brady began week three as the starter with Bledsoe out. In a match against the Colts, he defeats future rival and NFL legend Peyton Manning.
He completed 13-of-23 passes for 168 yards.
Patriots win Super Bowl in Brady's second season - 2001`
After starting 0-2, Tom Brady in his second NFL season led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record.
That run puts the Patriots into the playoffs.
Brady threw for 312 yards against the Oakland Raiders in his first playoff game, and led what would become a trademark come-from-behind victory.
The win against the Raiders also saw Brady mired in his first major controversy. Brady looked to fumble the ball late in the game, with Oakland recovering the ball.
But Brady and the Patriots were handed possession back under the "tuck rule."
Later on that playoff series, Brady overcame a knee injury that occurred during the second quarter of the Patriots' AFC championship game against the Steelers.
While Brady missed much of that win, with Drew Bledsoe coming into the game, he recovered in time for the Super Bowl.
Brady then led the Patriots to their first ever league championship in Super Bowl XXXVI with a 20–17 over the St. Louis Rams.
He is named Super Bowl MVP.
Brady wins second Super Bowl 2004
To kick-start the 2002 season - Tom Brady's third year - the now-reigning Super Bowl champions the Patriots trade out fellow quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
Brady is the undisputed starting quarterback for the franchise.
The Patriots again reach the playoffs under Brady with a 9-7 record that season but suffer an early exit.
However, it doesn't take long for Brady and the Patriots to go back to the top.
The 2003 NFL season (Brady's fourth year) sees the Patriots finish as the No.1 seed in the AFC with a 14-2 record.
Brady finishes third in MVP voting that year as the Patriots defeat the Panthers 32–29 victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
He earns his second Super Bowl MVP.
2004 season: Brady, Patriots goes back-to-back
Tom Brady and New England Patriots in the 2004 NFL season make it back-to-back Super Bowl wins.
Under Brady, the Patriots equal their 2003 record of 14–2 in the regular season.
In Super Bowl XXXIX, Brady and the Patriots narrowly beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24–21 in a thriller.
Brady that season also earns his second Pro Bowl selection.
Brady, Patriots can't return to Super Bowl
Tom Brady and the Patriots can't make it back to the Super Bowl and clinch the three-peat.
For the 2005 and 2006 NFL seasons, Brady again takes the Patriots to the playoffs.
But they lose to the Broncos in the divisional round in 2005, while in 2006 they go down to Peyton Manning and the Colts in the conference championship game.
Manning wins his first Super Bowl that season.
Brady wins MVP, falls short in stunning 2007 season
Following back-to-back NFL seasons of playoff losses, Brady and the Patriots return to the Super Bowl in 2007.
Brady also wins his first MVP award.
Bradys sets an NFL record that year with 50 touchdown passes as the Patriots finish with a perfect 16-0 regular-season record.
Despite the Patriots heading into Super Bowl XLII as the heavy favourites against the New York Giants, they fall short 17-14.
Brady faces off against Giants quarterback Eli Manning - brother of Peyton.
The match is highlighted by the iconic "helmet catch".
During the final two minutes, Manning connects with wide receiver David Tyree on a 32-year gain, a play that proves crucial to the Giants' game-winning touchdown.
A leaping Tyree used his helmet to assist him for one of the NFL's most iconic catches.
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