At the ripe age of 44, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is doing things that those 20 years younger than him couldn’t even imagine.
The Philadelphia Eagles found that out first-hand in Tampa’s blowout 31-15 win in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs last weekend. Leading the defending champions to the win, Brady completed 29-of-37 passes for 271 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
This comes following a 2021 regular season in which Tom Terrific led all NFL quarterbacks in completions (485), attempts (719), passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43).
If you think that’s insane, get a load of this. The 44-year-old Tom Brady is older than every remaining opposing coach in the NFC Playoffs. Each and every one.
That’s not a typo.
- Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers: 42
- Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers: 42
- Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams: 35
Related: Where does Tom Brady rank among NFL Playoff quarterbacks this year?
Tom Brady against NFL Playoff coaches
When Brady made his debut as a member of the New England Patriots back in November of 2000, he was 23 years old and 112 days.
To put this into perspective, Sean McVay was 14 years old and attending Marist High School in Brookhaven, Georgia. He was a freshman. You know, taking part in pep rally’s, keg stands and dances with other teenagers.
Also in November of 2000, Kyle Shanahan wasn’t even of legal drinking age. So, what we he up to? He was a wide receiver with the Texas Longhorns — playing with the likes of Roy Williams and Major Applewhite.
As for LeFleaur, November of 2000 included him playing quarterback for Division II Saginaw Valley State before briefly playing for the Omaha Beef of the National Indoor Football League (that was a thing).
Oh, but we’re not even close to done here.
Back in 2010 when Tom Brady was going strong for his former Patriots team, Shanahan, LaFleur and McVay were all assistant coaches for the Washington Football Team. Yeah, we had to throw some shade in the direction of disgraced owner Daniel Snyder and Co.
Brady and his Buccaneers will take on McVay’s Los Angeles Rams at home Sunday in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. A win here, and the seven-time Super Bowl winner will end up making his 15th appearance in a conference title game. Craziness!