Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Come Sunday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback Tom Brady will be appearing in the Super Bowl for the 10th time in his career.
Brady previously started nine Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots. On Sunday, Brady will become the first quarterback to start the Super Bowl at home.
Having played in nine Super Bowls, there aren’t many career Super Bowl records that Brady doesn’t own. Before Tampa Bay takes on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Sunday, here are five facts you may not know about Brady in the Super Bowl:
1. Brady is the Only 4-Time Super Bowl MVP
Over his nine prior appearances, Brady has six wins. He’s also the only 4-time MVP in the history of the Super Bowl. Brady earned MVP honors in New England wins over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX and Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. The only other player with three Super Bowl MVP honors is former San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Joe Montana.
2. Brady Played in the Lone Super Bowl to Go to Overtime
Most are aware that Tom Brady engineered the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. The Patriots rallied from a 28-3 hole to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. What most may not realize is that is the lone Super Bowl to go to overtime. Running back James White capped the comeback with the winning touchdown in overtime as New England topped Atlanta, 34-28.
3. Brady Played in the Lowest Scoring Super Bowl
Tom Brady will likely retire holding every career passing record, but in Super Bowl LIII, the credit went to the defense. With a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams, New England won the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history. The contest was tied 3-3 heading into the final quarter before Sony Michel scored for New England midway through the final quarter for the game’s only touchdown. Stephen Gostowski would add a field goal as the contest featured just 16 total points. The previous low was 21 — a 14-7 win for the Miami Dolphins over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
4. Brady Has the Most Passing Yards in a Super Bowl
Tom Brady has won six Super Bowls and is a 4-time MVP, but he also holds the record for most passing yards in a Super Bowl. That came in a loss. In a 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, Brady passed for a Super Bowl record 505 yards. Brady passed for three touchdowns and no interceptions, but did have a critical late fumble.
5. Brady Has Played Three Franchises Twice in the Super Bowl
In his nine prior Super Bowl appearances, Brady saw the same franchise for a second time on three occasions. The Rams are the lone franchise that he defeated twice. In just his second year in the league, Brady engineered the game-winning drive to lead the Patriots past the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. 17 years later, he was on the winning end of a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. In two appearances against the Philadelphia Eagles, Brady had to settle for a split. After New England beat the Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX, it fell in a 41-33 rematch 13 years later in Super Bowl LII.
The lone franchise that Brady has faced in the Super Bowl and has not defeated is the New York Giants. In each case, the Giants scored a late touchdown to knock off New England. In Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning found Plaxico Burress late as the Giants knocked off undefeated New England, 17-14. Four years later in Super Bowl XLVI, Ahmad Bradshaw scored late in a 21-17 win for New York over New England.
Mike Ferguson is the managing editor for Fifth Quarter. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike’s work by liking his Facebook page.