by B. B. James

Created on: April 13, 2010

NFL quarterback Tom Brady is arguably the most popular and visible player in pro football today.  He's led the New England Patriots to three Super Bowl victories during his career, and he's been one of the top passers in the league since his second season.  In 2007, Brady set the record for most touchdown passes thrown in a season, cementing his status as an all-time great as a passer, as well as a leader.  He will turn 33 just before the start of the 2010 NFL season, but he remains one of the league's top players.

Interestingly, Brady was not expected to become an NFL star, or maybe even to play in the league.  He had a modest college career at the University of Michigan, which was blessed with other talented quarterbacks at the same time that he attended.  He simply didn't play very much in college because his coaches thought the other guys were better.  But New England Patriots coach Bill Belicheck and his assistants saw something they liked in Brady's poise and precision throwing, and they selected him in the 2000 NFL draft. 

As a rookie in the 2000 season, Brady was again stuck behind a talented player.  But, as so often happens in football, the first-string quarterback was hurt early in 2001, and Brady got his opportunity.  He made the most of it, taking the team all the way to a Super Bowl championship in an upset over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams.  He won the game with a drive in the last minute that culminated in the winning field goal.  From that point, Brady was a star.  In the ensuing seasons, he has won many games with late touchdown passes, and he overcame one severe knee injury to return to top form.  The road ahead seems like it will include additional championships and, eventually, a spot in the football hall of fame.

In addition to his football exploits, Brady is one of the most marketable players in the game.  Many quarterbacks are media stars, but few are as telegenic as Brady.  He's a regular subject of gossip columns and glossy magazine photo spreads, as he's constantly out on-the-town with beautiful, glamorous women.  To say that he's living the life that most men would envy isn't much of an exaggeration.  Among the many beauties who Brady dated actress Bridget Moynahan, with whom he had a child.  However, Brady and Moynahan never married, and they parted ways as "good friends."  Brady then took up with supermodel Gisele, who he also got pregnant; they married in 2009. 

What's interesting about Brady is that he's been able to lead the life of star athlete and playboy without drawing much criticism.  He's been able to do this because he's maintained his performance on the field, and he has not broken rules or laws off of it.  Unlike other high-profile athletes who have been tarred with sex scandals, Brady wasn't married and didn't claim to be tied to one woman.  It's a lesson for the many brain-dead star athletes of today: Be honest about what you are, and you will be accepted.  He enjoyed his celebrity status, and women enjoyed being with him-and everyone was okay with that arrangement.  He dated women who had their own huge list of suitors and their own compelling careers.

So, life is golden for Tom Brady.  While some people dislike him because it seems like it's all come too easily, the word from insiders is that he works hard, and he's reasonably humble about his good fortune.  He takes his career seriously, and he is a good teammate.  We should all be happy that he's reaping the rewards.

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