Introduction
Tom Brady is considered by many to be the greatest quarterback of all time. And while there are many factors that contribute to that title, one of the most impressive aspects of Brady’s career is his record-setting number of MVP awards. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at Brady’s MVP career, from the number of awards he’s won to the impact they’ve had on his overall legacy.
Tom Brady’s MVP Awards
Throughout his illustrious career, Tom Brady has won a total of 3 NFL MVP awards, earning him a spot among the most elite players in NFL history. These awards came in 2007, 2010, and 2017, with Brady setting record-breaking numbers in each of those seasons.
In 2007, Brady led the New England Patriots to a perfect 16-0 regular season record, breaking the previously held record by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. In addition, he threw for a then-record-breaking 50 touchdown passes, surpassing the record held by Peyton Manning.
In 2010, Brady led the league in many categories, including passing yards, passer rating, and yards per game. He threw for 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the Patriots to a 14-2 record and the top seed in the AFC.
In 2017, at the age of 40, Brady once again put up huge numbers, throwing for over 4,500 yards and 32 touchdowns while leading the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl appearance.
It’s worth noting that despite his impressive performances in many other seasons, Brady has only won 3 MVP awards. This is in part due to the fact that the award is determined by a panel of 50 media members who vote for the player they believe is most deserving. In some seasons, other quarterbacks have put up impressive numbers that have overshadowed Brady’s performance.
Why Tom Brady’s MVP Record Matters (and Why it Doesn’t)
While Brady’s MVP awards are an impressive feat, some people argue that they don’t necessarily reflect the true measure of his greatness. For example, critics argue that since the award is determined by a relatively small panel of media members, it’s not an accurate reflection of how players actually performed in a given season. Others also point out that the award often goes to quarterbacks who play on successful teams, meaning that some players may be overlooked despite their impressive performances.
On the other hand, there are many arguments for why Brady’s MVPs are a true measure of his greatness. For one, winning the award takes a combination of skill, hard work, and consistency over an entire season. In addition, as we’ll explore later in this article, there are many impressive statistics that back up Brady’s MVP wins.
Breaking Down Tom Brady’s MVP Record by the Numbers
So, just how impressive are Tom Brady’s MVP-winning seasons? Let’s take a closer look at some of the statistics behind his three record-setting performances.
In 2007, Brady threw for a then-record-breaking 50 touchdowns and a passer rating of 117.2, both of which were records at the time. He completed 68.9% of his passes and threw for over 4,800 yards, earning him unanimous MVP honors from the media panel.
In 2010, Brady threw for a league-leading 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns, again earning him unanimous MVP honors. He led the league in passer rating (111.0) and yards per game (290), and completed 65.9% of his passes.
In 2017, Brady again put up impressive numbers, throwing for over 4,500 yards and 32 touchdowns, earning him his third career NFL MVP award.
When we compare Brady’s numbers to other MVP winners throughout history, it becomes clear just how impressive his performances were. For example, while many players have thrown for 50 touchdowns in a season, only a select few have reached that mark while also leading their teams to a perfect regular season record. Similarly, while many quarterbacks have put up big numbers throughout the course of a season, few have been able to consistently perform at Brady’s level over an entire career.
Every Playoff Game Tom Brady Won an MVP Award In
While Tom Brady’s MVP awards are impressive, they only tell part of the story of his career. To truly understand his greatness, we need to examine his performances in the biggest moments of his career: the playoff games where he won an MVP award. Here are those games:
- Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): In his first Super Bowl appearance, Brady led the underdog Patriots to a 20-17 victory, throwing for 145 yards and a touchdown to earn MVP honors.
- Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): Brady won his second Super Bowl MVP award after leading the Patriots to a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He threw for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns in the game.
- Super Bowl XLIX (2015): In one of the most memorable Super Bowl performances in history, Brady led his team back from a ten-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24. He threw for 328 yards and 4 touchdowns to earn his third Super Bowl MVP award.
- Super Bowl LI (2017): In one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, Brady led the Patriots back from a 28-3 third quarter deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. He threw for a then-Super Bowl record 466 yards and 2 touchdowns to earn MVP honors.
As these games show, Brady’s greatness isn’t just reflected in individual awards and statistics. Rather, it’s the way he performs in high-pressure situations that truly sets him apart from other players in NFL history.
Tom Brady’s Impact Beyond MVP Awards
Of course, Tom Brady’s impact on the sport of football goes beyond his impressive number of MVP awards and Super Bowl victories. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, he’s become a cultural icon, inspiring countless fans and players around the world with his work ethic, dedication, and determination to succeed. His longevity and consistency as a player, combined with his numerous contributions to the New England Patriots as a franchise, have cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
Conclusion
Tom Brady’s MVP awards are just one aspect of his incredible career, but they’re an important one. Through his three record-breaking MVP seasons and his performances in the biggest moments of his career, Brady has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. And while there are always debates about whether awards like the MVP truly measure a player’s greatness, it’s hard to argue with the incredible statistics and moments that make up Tom Brady’s career.