Tom Brady, drafted 199th overall in 2000, became arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history over more than 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
The dynamic duo of the California-born slinger and coach Bill Belichick engineered a dynasty that won six Super Bowls, establishing a standard of excellence that defined the franchise for two decades.
Now, just six years on from Brady's emotional departure from Gillette Stadium, the Patriots chase another Lombardi Trophy, where they hope second-year quarterback Drake Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel can deliver the goods much like their predecessors.
Both Maye and his Super Bowl 60 opponent, Sam Darnold, were picked third overall in their respective drafts. Brady had to wait for the 199th pick, watching as he was passed up on over and over again.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Growing up in San Mateo, California, Brady was a devoted 49ers fan and idolised legendary quarterback Joe Montana.
The 49ers overlooked Brady six times during that draft and instead selected quarterback Giovanni Carmazzi in the third round, who never appeared in a regular-season NFL game and later became a yoga practitioner and goat farmer.
Once signed with the Patriots as initially a backup, his opportunity arrived in 2001, when starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered a life-threatening injury against the Jets early in the season.
The impact sheared a blood vessel, causing nearly three litres of blood to fill Bledsoe's chest cavity and requiring emergency surgery to save his life.
Tom Brady became arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history over more than 20 seasons with the New England Patriots
|GETTY
Seizing the moment, Brady entered the game and led the Patriots to an improbable Super Bowl victory that same year, but doubt still followed the passer in the league over his "non-athleticism".
The 'experts' described the now infamous player as a slow, skinny, and physically unimpressive pocket passer with a weak arm in his 2000 draft scouting report.
Regarded as a "system-type" player rather than a playmaker, he was projected as a late-round draft pick who might struggle to adapt to the NFL. Little did they know it was his high intelligence, accuracy, and poise under pressure that made him a winner.
Going on to win seven Super Bowls and earn three league MVPs, it became almost boring to watch.
LATEST NFL NEWS
Tom Brady was regarded as a 'system-type' player rather than a playmaker
|GETTY
One of his most infamous wins came in 2015 against the Seahawks, who they face again this time around, where they won 28–24.
Despite Brady throwing for 328 yards and scoring four touchdowns, the game is famously remembered for Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception of Russell Wilson in the final seconds, which preserved the Patriots' lead.
Brady has appeared in 18 per cent of all Super Bowls in history and just under half during his career, proving he was still elite into his mid-40s by winning his final ring at age 43.
His 10 appearances are more than any team except the New England Patriots, and perhaps more impressively, he has more Super Bowl wins than any single NFL franchise.
Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick engineered a dynasty that won six Super Bowls
|GETTY
The once-slept-on draft pick has a better percentage of making the Super Bowl (45.5 per cent) as a starter than Stephen Curry’s career 3-point percentage (42.3 per cent).
Teams go up and down in success, but not the Patriots with Brady. The quarterback went 21 consecutive seasons as a primary starter without a losing record.
Perhaps his most impressive feat was leaving New England for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, leading the team to a Super Bowl LV victory in his first year and becoming the only quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP with two different franchises.
As Brady’s shadow looms large, with a statue standing tall outside Gillette Stadium, 23-year-old Maye has a daunting task ahead.
Maye, one of the league’s youngest Super Bowl quarterbacks, has already rewritten parts of the Patriots’ record book in his short time
|GETTY
The current Patriots team are not to be dismissed lightly.
They finished the 2025 season 14-3, their best record in years, and have rallied all the way to Super Bowl LX, an achievement that felt improbable just a few seasons ago.
Maye, one of the league’s youngest Super Bowl quarterbacks, has already rewritten parts of the Patriots’ record book in his short time.
This season’s return to the big game, after several down years following Brady’s departure, highlights just how hard consistency and a culture of excellence can sustain success even after a legend leaves.
Lessons passed down from veterans to rookies are evident in the current squad, with preparation, toughness, and adaptability all contributing to the team's success. Brady's legacy still resonates in the Patriots’ identity, and the franchise’s return to the Super Bowl isn’t a contradiction of his impact. It’s a continuation of it.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter