On the largest sports arena in the country, with more Americans in front of the television than ever, the ‘Bucs’ swept the defending NFL champion and Brady defeated the ‘quarterback’ designated by all to succeed him, Patrick Mahomes.
Brady achieved the feat with 43 years and 188 days and in the first season he played in Tampa, placing his name next to that of North American team sports myths Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky o Babe Ruth.
True to form, Brady dodged questions Sunday about his legacy and his place in history.
“I haven’t had time to think about that. We have been blessed. It has been a great year.”said the Californian, who also received his fifth Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, two more than his immediate pursuer and great childhood idol, Joe Montana.
Stars from other disciplines and analysts praised Brady’s unexpected feat, which some consider the most astonishing of his 21-year career.
“If you know, you know! GOAT (The Greatest of All Time) speaks,” wrote on Twitter LeBron James, another athlete who exhibits historic longevity by reaching his 10th Finals and fourth ring of the NBA.
“It’s incredible … it’s unreal”, was Serena Williams’ verdict after winning the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne. “I’ve been watching it as long as I can.”
The football world was also attentive to what happened at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa (Florida).
“Guys, this is what happens with hard work, dedication and true leadership. Tom Brady, the American GOAT,” wrote David Beckham on Instagram.
“Tom Brady, legend”, Brazilian star Neymar said on Twitter.
“The biggest?”
After the exhibition of Brady, the oldest player to play and win the Super Bowl, there were those who immersed himself in the impossible comparisons between sports.
Former NFL receiver and current television commentator Donte Stallworth recalled that his record already surpasses that of Michael Jordan, who for many is the best basketball player in history with six wins in six Finals with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan, unlike Brady, did not achieve glory when he donned a second jersey, that of the Washington Wizards, in his second return to the NBA at 38 years old.
“So Jordan has 6 rings, and Brady has 7 rings. Can you now say that Brady is the GOAT of all GOATS?”, Stallworth asked.
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Bill Russell, the “Lord of the Rings,” remains unattainable as the most successful basketball player with 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, the last of which was achieved at 35 in 1969.
Babe Ruth also appears in the mythology of American sports, remembered as the greatest baseball player of all time both for his seven World Series titles (between 1915 and 1932) and for his records and his genius in hitting and throwing.
Canadian Wayne Gretzky also achieved unbeatable records and four Stanley Cups in his 20-year career in ice hockey, a sport, like American football, of great toughness and physical demand.
“We will be back”
Few expected to see Brady return in a Super Bowl when a year ago he unexpectedly ended his two-decade stint and six championships with the New England Patriots under the wing of coach Bill Belichick.
His new team, the Buccaneers, were one of the weakest in the NFL since winning their only title in 2002 and had not made the playoffs since 2007.
Due to restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Brady also had to wait weeks to begin matching up with his new teammates and coaches in a preseason without any preparation games.
“He’s a winner,” Tampa coach Bruce Arians said. “His preparation is incredible. His confidence rubs off on the rest of the team. His leadership is outstanding. He brought a winning mentality to a really talented team that didn’t know how to win. “
Coaches, teammates and rivals often praise Brady for his extraordinary work ethic, healthy lifestyle and knowledge of the game that have allowed him, despite dozens of injuries and concussions, to continue to dominate a sport in which the average of a career professional does not exceed 3 and a half years.
Brady savored Sunday’s victory in front of his own fans but, an insatiable competitor, he did not stop warning that his retirement is far away.
“Oh yes, we will return,” promised the Californian, who aspires to continue playing beyond 45 years.