Tom Brady turns 45 today, and somehow the quarterback is still playing at an elite level in the NFL. As he enters his 23rd season in the league, Brady is once again chasing a championship and breaking records.
At this point, TB12 may hold the record for the most record numbers he has scored throughout his two-decade career.
In honor of the GOAT’s birthday, it’s only fitting that we look at 45 reasons to celebrate the seven-time champion. Throughout his career, Brady has had triumphant, funny and viral moments, so there are plenty to choose from.
Here are some reasons to celebrate No. 12:
1. They are a seven-time Super Bowl champion, winning more championships than any other franchise. Not too shabby.
2. He knows how to celebrate these championships, claiming it was avocado tequila that caused his sea legs. Here is the proof:
3. He can throw the Lombardi trophy with precision from one vessel to another. This was one very dangerous move.
4. He has five Super Bowl MVP awardsbeating them in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI and LV to hold the NFL record.
5. It can catch beer impressively fast. For someone on a very strict diet, you wouldn’t expect it to be such skills when it comes to beer.
6. He’s without a doubt a future first-ballot Hall of Famer … that is, if ever actually is retiring.
7. He is hilarious on social media and whether it’s trolling other players, making video clips, or just having fun, he never misses.
8. He shouts at his mom after racing and is a family man, always making sure to give his all family references on social media.
9. He knows how to get the crowd going and has a tradition of running out of the tunnel on the other side of the field and pumping his fist, yelling “Let’s f— go!”
10. He loves to give high fives, but he rarely gets them back. His requests have become so famous, Madden even put a failed high five in the video game.
11. The “Tuck Rule Game”: Brady’s incomplete pass, which many believe was a fumble, is one of the biggest game controversies in recent history, and the rule was finally changed because of this game against the Raiders. Brady later admitted it might have been a fluke.
12. He led the greatest comeback in Super Bowl historywhen the Patriots came back in Super Bowl LI from 28-3 against the Falcons to win in overtime.
13. He likes to experiment with hair styles, some are better than others.
14. She is a fashion icon and he shows off his style at events from the Kentucky Derby to the Met Gala and even pulls off some trendy looks before and after the games. Now he even has his own her own line of sportswear.
15. His golf skills are on point too challenges other NFL players to the course.
16. He shocked the world by retiring, then shocked the world again with he returns to football just 40 days later.
17. Whenever Brady leads an offense, this team always has a chance to win the game, which you can’t say for many quarterbacks.
18. His dancing skills are incredible.
19. His commercials show the quarterback’s funny side. His acting has improved with time for sure.
20. His friendship with his current and former teammates and the cheerleaders he has have remained strong through two teams and more than two decades in the league.
21. It has very unique eating habitslike avocado ice cream, but still playing professionally at 45, so clearly it works for him.
22. His comedic timing is pretty good for an athlete.
23. Brady threw five touchdowns in one quarter, yes just one quarter, in 2009 against the Tennessee Titans.
24. Brady defied the odds as the No. 199 overall pick to become one of the greatest players of all time
25. Brady is solid one of the best selling jerseys every year, even entering his 23rd season in the league. At this point everyone in New England and Tampa Bay should have at least two No. 12 jerseys.
26. Brady’s two-minute offense is one of the best in the league. Once he gets a little look and gets the ball with the game on the line and the clock winding down, you know he’s going to make it.
27. His ability to take undrafted, underrated and low draft players and help them become stars. Some examples are Julian Edelman, Wes Welker and Danny Amendola.
28. Brady uses some of his time off the field to do charity work and often spends time with his Best Buddies. Best Buddies is an “organization dedicated to building a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships, inclusive employment, leadership development and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
29. Has thrown touchdown passes to 71 (!!) different players, an NFL record.
30. The “Tom Brady Effect.” Brady being on a team is often the reason players end up signing with the team, even though Brady doesn’t think players pick teams because of him.
31. His commitment to the game is something former and current players have said is unlike anything they’ve seen. Edelman said Brady works as hard in the offseason as he does during the regular season.
32. His combine photo. Need I say more?
33. Brady holds the record for quarterback interceptions with 157.
34. He has the most touchdowns, completions, yards, wins and Pro Bowls in NFL history.
35. Brady’s career spanned seven presidential terms and five presidents.
36. He has the most touchdown passes by a 40-year-old, by far.
37. His rivalry on the field turned into a friendship with Peyton Manning, whom he often makes fun of.
38. Finally got 1,000 yards rushing and while not exactly a running backwhen it runs it’s a moment to remember.
39. When he lines up behind center for Week 1, he will become the oldest QB in NFL history to start a game, passing Steve DeBerg, who started a game at age 44 years, 279 days.
40. Brady is much older than his teammates, some of whom were even drafted. This year’s No. 1 overall pick, Travon Walker, was born on December 18, 2000. Brady had already been coached by the Patriots (April 2000) by then.
41. Brady always makes sure to celebrate Halloween properly, sometimes he makes fun of himself and dressing as avocado toast, he sometimes makes fun of Peyton Manning and other times going with classic suits.
42. While serving a suspension, Brady flew to Italy for vacation. Even a Super Bowl champion likes to travel to get away from his problems and reality. Celebrities, they’re just like us!
43. Despite being one of the greatest of all time, he wasn’t always an incredible general. He didn’t excel in football since he started and was the backup quarterback on his 0-8 high school team.
44. The NFL wasn’t the league that drafted Brady. In the 1995 MLB draft, Brady the Catcher was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round.
45. Brady has appeared in 10 Super Bowls, meaning he has appeared in over 17% of the NFL championships.
