The world was a lot different the first time Tom Brady won a Super Bowl

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Meredith CashFeb 1, 2023, 21:35 IST
The world was a lot different the first time Tom Brady won a Super Bowl

Tom Brady after his first Super Bowl victory.Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images

  • Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady has officially retired again, he announced Wednesday.
  • A lot has changed since Brady's first Super Bowl appearance — and win — in 2002.
  • The #1 song on the charts was "X," "A Beautiful Mind" won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and the iPhone had yet to be invented.

No quarterback in the history of the NFL was more dominant than Tom Brady.

Brady officially retired (again) from professional football Wednesday after 23 seasons in the NFL. His announcement comes nearly 21 years after he made his first Super Bowl appearance as a second-year quarterback in 2002.

Brady led the 14-point underdog New England Patriots to a stunning victory over the St. Louis Rams en route to earning Super Bowl XXXVI MVP honors. Since then, the 15-time Pro Bowler has made it to nine more Super Bowl games and added six more Super Bowl rings.

And while Brady's dominance remained consistent over two decades, nearly everything else has changed.

Check out what the world was like when Brady won his first Super Bowl in 2002:

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Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl back in 2002.

Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl back in 2002.
Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images

Since then, the 15-time Pro Bowler has made his way to nine more Super Bowl games and earned enough Super Bowl rings to spread across both hands.

Since then, the 15-time Pro Bowler has made his way to nine more Super Bowl games and earned enough Super Bowl rings to spread across both hands.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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Even though Brady's dominance remained consistent, the rest of the world has changed considerably since then.

Even though Brady's dominance remained consistent, the rest of the world has changed considerably since then.
AP Photo/Jason Behnken

The year of Brady's first Super Bowl win, the average price of gas was $1.36 per gallon.

The year of Brady's first Super Bowl win, the average price of gas was $1.36 per gallon.
AP/Jessica Hill

Source: Energy.gov

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George W. Bush was two years into his first term as President of the United States.

George W. Bush was two years into his first term as President of the United States.
Associated Press

He created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later that year.

He created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later that year.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Source: DHS.gov

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And Vice President Dick Cheney had not yet accidentally shot his friend on that infamous hunting trip.

And Vice President Dick Cheney had not yet accidentally shot his friend on that infamous hunting trip.
REUTERS/Larry Downing

Source: The Hill

Things were very different in the world of pop culture as well.

Things were very different in the world of pop culture as well.
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
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Usher's "U Got It Bad" was the top song on Billboard's Top 100 the week of the Super Bowl.

Usher's "U Got It Bad" was the top song on Billboard's Top 100 the week of the Super Bowl.
Usher and Lil' Bow Wow at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards later that year.AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson

Source: Billboard

Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Nelly also dominated the charts that year.

Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Nelly also dominated the charts that year.
Ja Rule in March 2002.REUTERS/Gary Hershorn

Source: Billboard

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Eminem's "Lose Yourself" dropped in October 2002 and topped the charts for eight consecutive weeks to end the year.

Eminem's "Lose Yourself" dropped in October 2002 and topped the charts for eight consecutive weeks to end the year.
AP Photo/Denis Doyle, Pool, File

Source: Billboard

"A Beautiful Mind" won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

"A Beautiful Mind" won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Universal Pictures

Source: Oscars

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Denzel Washington took home the Oscar for Best Actor in a leading role for his work in "Training Day."

Denzel Washington took home the Oscar for Best Actor in a leading role for his work in "Training Day."
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

Source: Oscars

And Halle Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress from her role in "Monster's Ball," becoming the first African-American woman to win an Oscar in that category.

And Halle Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress from her role in "Monster's Ball," becoming the first African-American woman to win an Oscar in that category.
Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

Source: Oscars

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"Shrek" won as best animated feature film, but "Monster's Inc." was also nominated.

"Shrek" won as best animated feature film, but "Monster's Inc." was also nominated.
"Shrek Forever After."Dreamworks

Some notable movies that came out in 2002 include "Lilo & Stitch," "8 Mile," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," "Ice Age," "Men in Black II," and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

Some notable movies that came out in 2002 include "Lilo & Stitch," "8 Mile," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," "Ice Age," "Men in Black II," and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Source: IMDb

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The TV lineup was starkly different as well.

The TV lineup was starkly different as well.
NBC

"Friends" was still on the air.

"Friends" was still on the air.
NBC
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As was "The West Wing."

As was "The West Wing."
NBC

And "The Bachelor" ran its first season in 2002.

And "The Bachelor" ran its first season in 2002.
ABC

Source: IMDb

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So did "American Idol."

So did "American Idol."
Fox

Source: IMDb

And celebrity couples looked very different back then. Brady hadn't even met now-wife Gisele Bundchen yet.

And celebrity couples looked very different back then. Brady hadn't even met now-wife Gisele Bundchen yet.
Rodrigo Abd/AP Images

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

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Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears broke up in 2002, just one year after making waves with their famous denim ensemble.

Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears broke up in 2002, just one year after making waves with their famous denim ensemble.
AP

Source: E! News

Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock started dating that year.

Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock started dating that year.
Castle Rock Pictures

Source: Cosmopolitan

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So did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, leading to the first mainstream power-couple nickname, "Bennifer."

So did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, leading to the first mainstream power-couple nickname, "Bennifer."
Frederick M. Brown/Getty

Source: Cosmopolitan

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were all the rage.

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were all the rage.

Source: Cosmopolitan

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Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were still together then, too.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were still together then, too.
AP Photo/Michael Caulfield

Source: Marie Claire

And 2002 was the year Michael Jackson came under fire after holding Prince Michael II over his hotel balcony in Berlin.

And 2002 was the year Michael Jackson came under fire after holding Prince Michael II over his hotel balcony in Berlin.
AP Photo/APTN

Source: Billboard

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And, at that time, so many things that we take for granted today didn't even exist yet.

And, at that time, so many things that we take for granted today didn't even exist yet.
Doug Mills/AP

Like the original iPhone, which first came out five years later.

Like the original iPhone, which first came out five years later.
YouTube/JerryRigEverything

Source: Apple

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And here are what iPods looked like.

And here are what iPods looked like.
A man touches the Apple iPod mp3 music player on display during the Macworld Conference and Convention January 8, 2002 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The conference officially opened today after Apple CEO Steve Jobs delivered a keynote address the day before, at which he announced the arrival of the redesigned iMac.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Or Facebook, which debuted as "The Facebook" in 2004.

Or Facebook, which debuted as "The Facebook" in 2004.
Shareaholic

Source: The Guardian

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Some others, courtesy of Jon Erlichman, include: Android, YouTube, MySpace, Instagram, Tesla, Spotify, Skype, Twitter, LinkedIn, Gmail, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Google Maps, iTunes Store, SoundCloud, Nintendo Wii, Dropbox, Hashtags, SpaceX, Reddit, Fitbit, GoPro, and iPad.

Some others, courtesy of Jon Erlichman, include: Android, YouTube, MySpace, Instagram, Tesla, Spotify, Skype, Twitter, LinkedIn, Gmail, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Google Maps, iTunes Store, SoundCloud, Nintendo Wii, Dropbox, Hashtags, SpaceX, Reddit, Fitbit, GoPro, and iPad.
Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

Source: Jon Erlichman / Twitter

For the record, Business Insider didn't exist then, either. Neither did our predecessor, Silicon Alley Insider.

For the record, Business Insider didn't exist then, either. Neither did our predecessor, Silicon Alley Insider.
Silicon Alley Insider

Source: Business Insider

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When Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl, Justin Bieber was 7 years old.

When Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl, Justin Bieber was 7 years old.
REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

And so was Patrick Mahomes.

And so was Patrick Mahomes.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
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Which reminds us just how different sports were back then, too.

Which reminds us just how different sports were back then, too.
AP Photo/Francois Mori

LeBron James was in high school.

LeBron James was in high school.
Tony Dejak/AP
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And Seattle still had an NBA franchise.

And Seattle still had an NBA franchise.
Getty Images/Doug Pensinger

Tiger Woods won the Masters and the U.S. Open, completing a stretch in which he won seven out of 11 majors.

Tiger Woods won the Masters and the U.S. Open, completing a stretch in which he won seven out of 11 majors.
Getty Images

Source: PGA

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And Roger Federer was still a year away from winning his first Grand Slam title.

And Roger Federer was still a year away from winning his first Grand Slam title.
AP Photo/Rob Griffith

The Anaheim Angels won the World Series.

The Anaheim Angels won the World Series.
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
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And the Los Angeles Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal was named finals MVP.

And the Los Angeles Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal was named finals MVP.
Mark J. Terrill/AP

Source: Basketball Reference

Rick Nash had just made his NHL debut.

Rick Nash had just made his NHL debut.
Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

Source: NHL

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The Winter Olympics were hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah that year.

The Winter Olympics were hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah that year.
In this Oct. 1, 2001, file photo Mitt Romney, president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, announces there are 70,000 additional tickets available for purchase for the 2002 Winter Games during a news conference in Salt Lake City.Douglas C. Pizac/AP

But Shaun White wouldn't make his debut and earn his "Flying Tomato" nickname until four years later.

But Shaun White wouldn't make his debut and earn his "Flying Tomato" nickname until four years later.
Getty Images
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There was also a World Cup in 2002. Ronaldinho and Rivaldo led Brazil past Germany in the final.

There was also a World Cup in 2002. Ronaldinho and Rivaldo led Brazil past Germany in the final.
AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File

Neymar was 10 years old.

Neymar was 10 years old.
Neymar Jr. scores a goal for Brazil in 2019.Michael Reaves/Getty Images
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And though Tom Brady has been consistently dominant over the past two decades...

And though Tom Brady has been consistently dominant over the past two decades...
Jim Rogash/Getty Images

...plenty has changed for him as well.

...plenty has changed for him as well.
Gerry Broome/AP Images
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He's had three kids in that span — two sons and a daughter.

He's had three kids in that span — two sons and a daughter.
REUTERS/Adrees Latif

And he joined a new team, with whom he promptly won the Super Bowl.

And he joined a new team, with whom he promptly won the Super Bowl.
John Bazemore/AP Images
21 photos that encapsulate each year of Tom Brady's illustrious NFL career
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He left the Patriots after 20 seasons to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

He left the Patriots after 20 seasons to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

But even well into his 40s, Brady performed better than most of his peers in the NFL.

But even well into his 40s, Brady performed better than most of his peers in the NFL.
AP Photo/Butch Dill
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And, now, he retires as perhaps the greatest to ever do it.

And, now, he retires as perhaps the greatest to ever do it.
Tom Brady walks off the field after a game.AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio

Now check out what happened to Tom Brady's teammates from his first Super Bowl.

Now check out what happened to Tom Brady's teammates from his first Super Bowl.
Elise Amendola/AP
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Tom Brady's teammates on his first Super Bowl team
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Next Story20 things you might not have known about Tom Brady
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