by Tom Brady: The Undisputed King of Awards in the NFL
Introduction
Since entering the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick in 2000, Tom Brady has established himself as not only one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, but quite possibly the most decorated and honored player in NFL history. With a record seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVP awards, three NFL MVP awards, and countless other accolades over two decades, Brady has accumulated more individual awards and team championships than any other player. His unmatched sustained success on football’s biggest stages makes a strong case that he deserves the title of “King of Awards” in the NFL.
Unmatched Success in the Super Bowl
The ultimate goal for every NFL team is to win the Super Bowl – football’s biggest prize. And in this category, no one comes close to Brady’s dominance. With seven Lombardi Trophies to his name following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory in Super Bowl LV, Brady has lapped the field when it comes to hoisting that coveted trophy. The closest any other quarterback has come is four titles, by the legendary Joe Montana and Pittsburgh Steelers signal caller Terry Bradshaw.
Not only does Brady hold the record for most Super Bowl wins by a quarterback, but he also holds the record for most Super Bowl MVP awards with five. Winning the Super Bowl MVP is recognition of being the best player on the field during the sport’s greatest game. To put it in perspective, the next closest players are Joe Montana and Eli Manning with two Super Bowl MVPs each. Brady has nearly tripled the competition in the biggest individual award the Super Bowl has to offer.
His legendary performances in Super Bowls have cemented his legacy, such as leading the Patriots back from a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons for one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP after passing for 466 yards and two touchdowns in that epic 34-28 overtime victory. Time and time again when the stakes are highest, Brady has delivered championship winning drives to add to his already unprecedented collection of rings.
Stacking Up Individual Accolades
While team success is the ultimate goal, Brady’s individual stats and honors further illustrate his place as the most decorated NFL player ever. He has won a record three NFL MVP awards, recognizing him as the league’s most valuable player by the writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. No other quarterback has won more than two.
Brady has also taken home Offensive Player of the Year honors, awarded to the season’s most outstanding offensive player, on three occasions. The only other quarterbacks with three are Peyton Manning and Jerry Rice.
Entering the 2021 season, Brady owned the record for most career passing yards (79,204) and touchdown passes (563). He has since extended those records, becoming the first and only NFL quarterback to eclipse 80,000 career passing yards and 600 career touchdown passes. Those gaudy stats are a product of his incredible longevity of high-level play well into his 40s.
With a record 15 Pro Bowl selections, Brady has been voted to more Pro Bowls than any other non-kicker in NFL history. The Pro Bowl recognizes the best individual performers at each position, so Brady’s inclusion in 15 All-Star games is a testament to his annual excellence against his peers. He’s also been named a First-Team All-Pro, the highest individual honor for a season’s performance, three times – tied with Peyton Manning for the most among quarterbacks.
League-Wide and Unanimous Respect
Beyond the statistics and honors, Brady’s greatness has earned him universal respect from teammates, opponents, coaches and executives around the NFL. In annual NFL Top 100 player voting done by active players, Brady has been voted by his peers as the best player in the league multiple times. Even players on opposing teams recognize what an incredible competitor he is and regard him as the standard at the quarterback position.
Longtime opponents like Richard Sherman and J.J. Watt have expressed immense respect for Brady’s ability to raise his game when it matters most. Coaches who have faced off against Brady’s Patriots teams through the years, like John Harbaugh, Bill Belichick and Sean Payton, recognize that he is the player they least look forward to competing against. And analysts who have covered the NFL for decades name Brady as hands-down the best they have ever seen.
The respect and admiration is shared by his own teammates as well. Players who have caught passes from Brady like Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman credit his work ethic and leadership as driving factors behind their championship success. Even his current Buccaneers teammates in their first year with Brady went on to win a Super Bowl behind his guidance.
Conclusion – The Undisputed King of Awards
While “King” is a subjective title, no player in NFL history has done more to earn individual accolades and team championships than Tom Brady. His record seven Super Bowl rings and five Super Bowl MVPs are untouchable marks of postseason success that may never be equaled.
Beyond that, his three NFL MVP awards, numerous All-Pro selections, record 15 Pro Bowl nods, and career statistical milestones demonstrate a level of sustained excellence that has few peers. Most importantly, Brady’s greatness has earned unanimous respect from teammates, opponents, coaches and analysts alike as the greatest to ever play the position.
Over two decades in New England and now Tampa Bay, Brady has cemented his legacy as not just one of the all-time NFL greats, but perhaps the most decorated player the league has ever seen. His collection of individual awards and team championships is unmatched, solidifying his claim to being the undisputed “King of Awards” in professional football.
