20 things you might not have known about Tom Brady

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Meredith CashFeb 1, 2023, 21:05 IST
20 things you might not have known about Tom Brady

Tom Brady.AP Photo/Rich Schultz

Tom Brady is one of the greatest to ever do it.

And now, his NFL career is set in stone.

The legendary quarterback officially announced his retirement from the NFL Tuesday after 22 seasons, seven Super Bowl victories, and three NFL MVP awards. He will almost surely go down in history as the greatest quarterback in the history of professional football.

Despite all of his fame and success, there are still some things you may not know about one of sports' most prominent figures. So Insider assembled a list of 21 facts you may not know about Brady.

Check them out below:

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1. Brady spent two years as a backup at the University of Michigan

1. Brady spent two years as a backup at the University of Michigan
AP

Brady arrived in Ann Arbor as the seventh-string quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines. He spent two years backing up future NFL quarterback Brian Griese before winning the battle against Drew Henson to start under center during his junior season. Even after two successful years, Brady wasn't sure he would make it to the NFL, so he made a resumé as a backup plan.

Read more: Tom Brady was once an intern at Merrill Lynch — Here's his résumé from when he didn't think he'd make it in the NFL

2. He was famously taken with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft

2. He was famously taken with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft
Elise Amendola/AP

That's right: 198 players were selected in that year's draft class — including six other quarterbacks — before the New England Patriots took Brady in the 6th round, and it's safe to say it was the sleeper pick of the century.

Read more: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The first-round picks from Tom Brady's infamous 2000 NFL Draft

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3. He has played in more Super Bowls than any other player in NFL history

3. He has played in more Super Bowls than any other player in NFL history
ew England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.Reuters/USA Today Sports

Tom Brady appeared in 10 Super Bowls during his career — four more than any other player in NFL history.

Read more: The NFL quarterbacks who have played in and won the most Super Bowls

4. And he's won more Super Bowls than any other player — or any single NFL franchise

4. And he's won more Super Bowls than any other player — or any single NFL franchise
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls in his 22 seasons. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers each have won six.

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5. He also won more than any other quarterback in the regular season

5. He also won more than any other quarterback in the regular season
Jim Rogash/Getty

Read more: Tom Brady is the NFL's all-time winningest regular-season quarterback

6. Brady is one of the highest paid players in NFL history

6. Brady is one of the highest paid players in NFL history
Tom Brady.Getty/Cliff Welch

Brady earned nearly $300 million in his NFL career, good enough to make him one of the highest-paid players in the league's history. He also made millions each year through endorsement deals with companies like Under Armour, Intel, Beats by Dre, and Shields.

Read more: GISELE BÜNDCHEN AND TOM BRADY: How the supermodel-quarterback power couple makes and spends their millions

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7. But he still made less money than his now ex-wife

7. But he still made less money than his now ex-wife
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly

Brady's earnings may sound enormous, but they're nothing compared to his ex-wife's. Gisele Bündchen, to whom he was married for 13 years, was the world's top-earning supermodel for 10 consecutive years and is reportedly on pace to make $1 billion in career earnings.

Read more: GISELE BÜNDCHEN AND TOM BRADY: How the supermodel-quarterback power couple makes and spends their millions

8. Brady has two sons and a daughter

8. Brady has two sons and a daughter
Instagram/Gisele

Three months into his relationship with Gisele, Brady learned that his ex-girlfriend was pregnant with his child. In addition to his eldest son, Jack, Brady and Bündchen went on to have a son, Benny, and a daughter, Vivian.

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9. He has kept a very strict diet, and it's unclear whether Brady will stick to it in retirement

9. He has kept a very strict diet, and it's unclear whether Brady will stick to it in retirement
via Tom Brady/Instagram

Brady's diet prevents them from eating sugar, dairy, and tomatoes. According to his personal chef, 80% of their food is vegetables, and they also eat avocado ice cream as a treat. Brady has published "The TB12 Method" to teach others about his nuanced approach to diet and wellness.

Read more: Tom Brady's diet is so strict that it excludes an entire group of vegetables

10. He didn't train like a typical athlete

10. He didn't train like a typical athlete
Tom Brady.Mark LoMoglio/AP Images

Unlike most other football players, Brady avoids traditional weight training and instead opts for resistance bands to increase pliability and flexibility. He believes long, soft muscles lead to peak performance.

Read more: The TB12 Method: Inside the strict fitness and nutrition lifestyle that allows Tom Brady to dominate at an age most players retire

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11. And he does everything he can to keep his mind sharp

11. And he does everything he can to keep his mind sharp
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Brady uses brain exercises intended for people struggling with issues ranging from memory loss to cognitive damage with the hopes of improving his cognitive function.

Read more: Tom Brady uses brain exercises designed for people with brain impairments and it blew away the scientists who created them

12. He is ridiculously competitive

12. He is ridiculously competitive
Tom Brady.Mark LoMoglio/AP Images

Past teammates had described instances in which Brady had broken ping pong paddles and thrown backgammon boards across the room when he was losing. He also once gave his team a pep talk before a charity football game against a group of firefighters.

Read more: 38 examples of Tom Brady's insane competitiveness

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13. He sacrificed the better part of $100 million to make sure the Patriots were one of the best teams in the NFL

13. He sacrificed the better part of $100 million to make sure the Patriots were one of the best teams in the NFL
Maddie Meyer/Getty

He would not enjoy playing with a team that couldn't compete for championships.

Read more: Tom Brady has sacrificed at least $60 million in his career with discount contracts to keep the Patriots competitive

14. But he fell asleep in the locker room before his first Super Bowl

14. But he fell asleep in the locker room before his first Super Bowl
Maddie Meyer/Getty

Clearly, the nerves didn't get to him.

Read more: Tom Brady fell asleep before his first Super Bowl and woke up with minutes to spare before the team took the field

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15. Brady loved to drop F-bombs to relieve tension on the field

15. Brady loved to drop F-bombs to relieve tension on the field
Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to their NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau FieldStacy Revere/Getty Images

"There's nothing that quite expresses the way I feel like that word," Brady said.

Read more: Tom Brady Explains Why He Loves The F-Word

16. Despite his success with the Patriots, he long considered moving on to another franchise before making the jump

16. Despite his success with the Patriots, he long considered moving on to another franchise before making the jump
Liynne Sladky/AP

He and head coach Bill Belichick butted heads often throughout their time together, so the prolific quarterback took his talents elsewhere. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won his services for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Read more: Tom Brady reportedly considered ending his time with the Patriots this off-season and would 'divorce' Bill Belichick if he could

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17. Gisele wanted him to retire since his days with the Patriots

17. Gisele wanted him to retire since his days with the Patriots
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

She never understood what more he could accomplish in the NFL.

Read more: Gisele Bündchen is 'dead serious' about getting Tom Brady to retire — here are 9 jobs he could tackle when he eventually leaves the NFL

18. But he dominated the NFL throughout his 30s

18. But he dominated the NFL throughout his 30s
Jeff Roberson/AP

Read more: Chart shows just how dominant Tom Brady was in his 30s

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19. And he proved that he could still play amongst the best in his 40s

19. And he proved that he could still play amongst the best in his 40s
Tom Brady warms up for a game against the New York Jets.AP Photo/Adam Hunger

He blew former 40-year-old NFL players out of the water.

Read more:Tom Brady is already making a mockery of the NFL records for 40-year-old quarterbacks

20. He intended to play until he was 45 years old — and he did exactly that

20. He intended to play until he was 45 years old — and he did exactly that
Mark LoMoglio/AP Images

Brady's career longevity — and success — is unparalleled.

Read more: Tom Brady says there's 'zero' chance he retires after the Super Bowl and still plans to play until he's 45

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Now check out how much the world has changed since his first Super Bowl victory:

Now check out how much the world has changed since his first Super Bowl victory:
Bob Breidenbach/Providence Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
The world was a lot different the first time Tom Brady won a Super Bowl
Next StoryFuture Super Bowl host cities and stadiums &mdash...
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