sport news Tom Brady: Legendary quarterback's NFL records after retiring trends now

Tom Brady's pro football career may have ended on Tuesday, but his days monopolizing the NFL's record books aren't anywhere near finished.

The 44-year-old retiree holds marks for Super Bowl wins (seven) and appearances (10), not to mention at least 10 other major distinctions. He retired last year, made a U-turn, but this he's bidding farewell for good.

His 23rd and final year was difficult on and off the pitch but he threw for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff run ended in the wildcard round.

Brady suffered the first losing season of his 23-year-long NFL career as his Bucs squad fell to an 8-9 record.

Off the field, he finalized a highly-publicized divorce from his now-ex-wife and supermodel Giselle Bundchen.

It's tantalizing to imagine what Brady's career marks would be if he hadn't spent a year as a backup. 

The California native took a circuitous route to NFL stardom with the New England Patriots and, ultimately, the Bucs. 

Famously taken in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft — after his beloved San Francisco 49ers picked forgettable Hofstra quarterback Giovanni Carmazzi in the third — Brady spent a year as a backup to New England's four-time Pro Bowler, Drew Bledsoe.

But beginning in September of 2001, when Bledsoe was injured on a tackle by New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, Brady took firm control of the starter's job, which he did not relinquish for 20 years.

The University of Michigan product guided New England to an 11-4 record over the remainder of the season, winning the infamous 'tuck rule' game against the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, and upsetting the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl.

Brady went on to lead the Patriots to consecutive Super Bowl titles following the 2003-04 seasons. No team has since repeated as

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