By Kalvin Tragethon

New rumors are swirling yet again about a return for legendary quarterback Tom Brady, who officially announced his retirement on February 2.  

  In spite of the rumors about him coming out of retirement, he has signed a 10 year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports, accumulating more money than he did while playing in the NFL. While this too has sparked some controversy, for weeks, the talk of sports fans at Masco and all around the country was focused on reflecting on the career of the quarterback who has changed the NFL forever.

 “Not starting until he became a junior at Michigan, combined with becoming an all time great as a 6th round pick is too good of a story,“ said junior TJ Valentine. 

  Brady’s retirement announcement marks the end of his 23 year career, where he won 7 Super Bowls, the most by any player in National Football League (NFL) history.

 Brady also won 3 season MVP awards and 5 Super Bowl MVP awards.

“It will be difficult for anyone to ever accomplish as much as Brady has been able to accomplish throughout his career,” said junior Nathaniel Cantalupo.

  Brady was selected by the Patriots in the 6th round of the NFL draft in 2000. In the draft, 6 quarterbacks were selected prior to Brady. All of those quarterbacks combined to start 191 games, which paled in comparison to Brady, who would go on to win 286 games.

  Brady would go on to win 3 Super Bowls in his first 4 years as a starter. He was a major factor in turning the Patriots, who had seen very little success, into a football business model.

  “Brady made the Patriots what they are and established them as a dynasty,” said math teacher Michael Kachinski.

  In the first few years of Brady’s career, Brady also had many important games that will live in NFL posterity forever.

  One of these games came in Brady’s first ever playoff appearance.  In the fourth quarter, Brady appeared to fumble the ball, essentially ending the game and the Patriots’ season. 

  However, the fumble would be reviewed, and the refs ruled that Brady’s arm was going forward when the ball came out of his possession, and therefore the play was not a fumble, rather an incomplete pass. This play allowed the Patriots to kick two field goals to win the game and would eventually lead to their first Super Bowl win. 

  “My favorite Brady game was his first Super Bowl. Coming off the ‘tuck rule’ game a few weeks before and an injury that allowed Bledsoe to be the hero in the AFC Championship game, Brady had a lot going against him before that game,” said Kachinski. “That last drive when NFL commentator John Madden said the Patriots should take a knee and go into overtime was my favorite all-time Brady drive.”

  Kachinski said that his favorite moment from that drive was when the Patriots got to the line and Brady spiked the ball to stop the clock with a few minutes left. 

  “It was picture perfect. The ball bounced right back into Tom’s hand. He caught it, held it out as if to say ‘I’ve done all I can’,” said Kachinski.

  In the middle of his career, Brady continued to inspire many with his success.   

  “For as long as I can remember, Brady has been my idol. As a child, I dreamed of meeting him. He absolutely was the person who helped shape my love of football,” said junior Paul Donnelly.

  Brady’s success would coincide with him setting many NFL records. He leads in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and wins by a starting quarterback. He is also the only player to have beaten all 32 teams in his career. Brady also has the most wins in the playoffs by a starting quarterback and most game winning drives.

  Even people that don’t often watch football have an understanding of the impact that Tom Brady has had on the NFL and the New England Patriots.

  “Even though I’m not someone who really watches or keeps up with football, I can still appreciate the fact that Tom Brady has left a lasting mark on the NFL and completely transformed the Patriots franchise,” said junior Mackenzie Cronin. 

  After Brady’s retirement from the NFL, fans wonder how the Patriots honor the legend.

  “The Patriots should absolutely honor him by holding a ceremony,” said Kachinski. “Whatever the Patriots decide to do for Belichick when he retires should be done for Brady as well. I think a pair of statues, together, should be made. Neither one of them would have had the career they did without the other.”

  Most Patriots fans are in agreement that Brady is one of the greatest players to ever put on an NFL jersey.  

  “No matter what the Patriots do to honor Brady, one thing is certain. There will likely never be a talent like his in the NFL again,” said Donnelly.