On February 3, 2002, the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams faced off in SuperBowl XXXVI. The two teams were tied 17-17. With less than two minutes left, quarterbackTom Brady led the Patriots onto the field.
Brady was in just his second year in the National Football League (NFL). Hed begunthe year as a backup. Few people had thought hed lead his team to the Super Bowl.
On the teams final drive, Brady completed 5 of 6 passes. He moved the team within field goal range. With only a few seconds left, kicker Adam Vinatieri made the decidingfield goal.
field goal a play in which the ball is kicked between the goal posts for three points
The Patriots won! Brady was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game.
This is a perfect example of what happens when guys believe in each other. TomBrady
CHAPTER 2
ROAD TO THE NFL
Tom Edward Patrick Brady was born August 3, 1977, in San Mateo, California. As akid, he loved the San Francisco 49ers. His favorite player was quarterback Joe Montana.
Brady played both football and baseball in high school. In 1995 the Montreal Expos drafted him to play professional baseball. But he wanted to play football instead.
draft the process of choosing a person to join a sports team
Brady chose to play football at the University of Michigan. In 1997 he was the teamsbackup quarterback. But he became the starter in 1998 and 1999.
After the 1998 season, he led his team to victory in the Citrus Bowl. His final gamewas in the 2000 Orange Bowl against Alabama. He led Michigan to a thrilling 35-34overtime victory.
GIVING HIS ALL
Brady set several records in the 2000 Orange Bowl, including 369 yards passing andfour touchdowns. After the game, he was so sore he could barely walk off the field.His dad had to carry his equipment bag for him.
After college, Brady hoped to play for an NFL team. In the 2000 NFL draft, he waitedas round after round went by. Brady finally got a call in the sixth round. The NewEngland Patriots had picked him. He was the 199th player chosen.
Brady had to work hard just to make the team. As a rookie , he played in only onegame. It was a blowout loss to the Detroit Lions.
rookie a first-year player
blowout a game in which one team greatly outscores the other
CHAPTER 3
NFL STAR
Brady began his NFL career as a backup quarterback. But in 2001 starting quarterbackDrew Bledsoe was injured. Brady finally had his chance. He surprised everyone byleading the Patriots to a Super Bowl title.
Brady led the Patriots to a second Super Bowl title after the 2003 season. He wasagain voted Super Bowl MVP. A year later, the Patriots won a third Super Bowl. Injust four years, Brady had already won three championships!
Bradys 2007 season was one to remember. The Patriots were a perfect 160 in theregular season. Brady set an NFL record by throwing 50 touchdown passes. He was namedthe NFLs MVP that year.
In the Super Bowl, the Patriots faced the New York Giants. In the fourth quarter,Brady threw a touchdown pass that gave New England a lead. But the Giants came backto win the game. It was the Patriots only loss of the year.
In 2008 Brady injured his knee in the first game of the season. He missed the restof the year. But he came back strong in 2009. He was named NFL Comeback Player ofthe Year. In 2010 he led the Patriots to a 142 record and was again named the NFLsMVP. In 2011 he led the league in passing touchdowns with 36.