Tom Brady 2021-2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game Worn Helmet | Worn in 5 Games | NFL Playoffs | Tom Brady Breaks Buccaneers Record For Single-Season Passing Yards | Brady Breaks 5000 Passing Yards in a Single-Season for 2nd Time in Career | Breaks Franchise Record for Most Touchdown Passes in a Single Season (41) | Joined Drew Brees as Only Players to Throw 40 Touchdowns in Consecutive Seasons

The 2021 NFL season marked yet another title defense for Brady for an astonishing and record-setting 7th time. Brady’s season proved to be a remarkable continuation of his legendary career, showcasing his enduring excellence at age 44. In his second year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady defied the odds, leading the league in passing yards (5,316) and touchdowns (43) while steering the Bucs to a 13-4 record and the NFC South title. His precision, leadership, and football IQ were on full display, as he orchestrated multiple come-from-behind victories and helped Tampa Bay remain one of the top contenders in the NFL.

The Buccaneers helmet was matched to the following games:

• 12-26-21 vs. the Carolina Panthers, where Brady threw 18 of 30 for 232 yards and 1 touchdown. 
• 1-2-22 vs. the New York Jets, where Brady threw 34 of 50 for 410 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. In this game, Brady joined Drew Brees as the only players to throw 40 touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
• 1-9-22 vs. the Carolina Panthers, where Brady threw 29 of 37 for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns. In this game, Tom Brady broke the Buccaneers record for single-season passing yards, and additionally broke 5000 passing yards in a single-season for 2nd time in his career. He additionally set the Buccaneers franchise record for the most touchdown passes in a single season with 43.
• 1-16-22 vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, where Brady threw 29 of 37 for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• 1-23-22 vs. the Rams, where Brady threw 30 of 54 for 329 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. 

The item is accompanied by letters from MeiGray in regards to photomatching and Tom Brady in regards to provenance. 

Going Deeper - Tom Brady

Humble Beginnings and the Road to Greatness

There are only a few athletes who are near-universally accepted as the greatest in their sport: Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth—and Tom Brady.

While most of them entered their respective sports as highly touted prospects, Brady’s journey began as an unassuming sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft.

During ESPN’s segment covering the 199th pick, resident draft expert Mel Kiper remarked, “[Brady] throws a very catchable ball.” Watching the segment today, there is little evidence Kiper realized he was talking about the player who threw perhaps the most catchable ball in the history of the sport. Brady holds the record for the most passing yards, completions, and touchdowns in NFL history.

Kiper would go on to talk about Brady’s perceived weaknesses: “The question is going to be mobility. He only runs a 5.25 forty [yard dash] and of course when you have those edge pass rushers, you have to avoid the initial defensive end, the initial pass rusher. Can he do that at the pro level?”

Brady’s seemingly pedestrian 2000 NFL Combine performance (his 40-yard dash was on par with some offensive lineman) and the now infamous photo of his less-than-strapping, unathletic physique, have become part of the lore for what many consider the best draft pick of all time. Every year come draft time, that photo of Brady gets circulated through social media as teams hope to strike gold again as the New England Patriots did in the year 2000.

Brady would acknowledge as much when he posted the picture to his personal Instagram years later, with the caption:

“19 years ago today the @patriots took a chance on the guy in this photo: Me (199) 😂. Thank you to EVERYONE who’s helped me to prove them right! PS: Did they stop taking these photos after mine?? 🤣🤣”

What followed, of course, is legend. Brady would go on to join the Patriots as their fourth-string quarterback and was, by no means, a lock to even make the team. By the following season however, he was thrust into a starting role after veteran starter Drew Bledsoe sustained an injury in week two. That opportunity was all Brady needed. He would lead the Patriots to a 20-17 victory in Super Bowl XXXVI that year and become the youngest Super Bowl MVP.

Brady would win five more Super Bowls with the New England Patriots as well as one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on his way to becoming the best quarterback, and arguably player, in the history of the sport. No NFL player has ever come close to being as good for as long. If you split Brady’s career into segments, you would find two, maybe even three, Hall of Fame resumes.