Tom Brady leaves the NFL as the architect of one of the greatest sports dynasties ever

    By Ben Morse, CNN

    Updated 1625 GMT (0025 HKT) February 1, 2022

    Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win in February 2021.
    Photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
    Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win in February 2021.
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    Brady played college football at the University of Michigan. He started for the Wolverines in his junior and senior seasons, going 20-5.
    Photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
    Brady played college football at the University of Michigan. He started for the Wolverines in his junior and senior seasons, going 20-5.
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    Brady grew up in San Mateo, California, and played football, basketball and baseball before joining Michigan.
    Photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
    Brady grew up in San Mateo, California, and played football, basketball and baseball before joining Michigan.
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    Despite his successful career at Michigan, Brady was not projected to be a star in the NFL. He was the 199th player taken in the NFL Draft. Many quarterbacks were taken before him.
    Photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
    Despite his successful career at Michigan, Brady was not projected to be a star in the NFL. He was the 199th player taken in the NFL Draft. Many quarterbacks were taken before him.
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    Brady started his career backing up Drew Bledsoe. But when Bledsoe was hurt in September 2001, Brady got his chance to shine. He took over as starter and led the Patriots all the way to the Super Bowl.
    Photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
    Brady started his career backing up Drew Bledsoe. But when Bledsoe was hurt in September 2001, Brady got his chance to shine. He took over as starter and led the Patriots all the way to the Super Bowl.
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    Brady loses the ball after being hit by Oakland's Charles Woodson during an NFL playoff game in January 2002. The Patriots got the ball back and went on to win the game, but the controversial play was heavily debated in the offseason. The "tuck rule" was eventually repealed in 2013.
    Photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
    Brady loses the ball after being hit by Oakland's Charles Woodson during an NFL playoff game in January 2002. The Patriots got the ball back and went on to win the game, but the controversial play was heavily debated in the offseason. The "tuck rule" was eventually repealed in 2013.
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