2/7/2016 – From almost last – By Brandon Meyers
In the year 2000, the NFL held the draft to pick from that year’s eligible collegiate football players. Many picks went down that could make any owner question “is this our guy”? I can assure you that no one had a clue that the most history to be made from that draft would be 17 years later and from the 199th overall pick. Drafted by the New England Patriots out of the University of Michigan this is about no one other than Tom Brady.
In that draft there has been a couple of quarterbacks to go before Brady. The first QB of that draft was Chad Pennington being selected 18th by the Jets. The next quarterback of the draft hasn’t been picked until the third round with the 49ers picking up Giovanni Carmazzi from Hofstra. Of the total QB’s taken in this draft the only other mentionable player would be Marc Bulger who like Brady was taken in the sixth round. To be fair this draft did manage to produce 12 total quarterbacks, 3 of which had a lengthy career (Pennington, Bulger, Brady), but only one to shape history as we know it.
Fast forwarding 17 years, Superbowl LI, a historic trial for two of its competing teams. The patriots going for their 5th championship while Atlanta tries to gain their first. That in itself made the game worth watching. It was like watching a modern day David vs. Goliath story in terms of underdog against big dog. Unlike the aforementioned comparison this story didn’t turn out quite as victorious for the underdog. However what was equally historic for both teams again was the fact this superbowl went into overtime. No superbowl in the history of superbowls has gone into overtime. The final score being New England 34 Atlanta 28. The remarkable feat that occurred was the unforeseen turn of events while Atlanta’s 25 point lead vanished that lead to the first overtime ever. This just goes to show that there is no such thing as a good lead or a sure thing proving once again that it isn’t over until the final whistle.
The think I find remarkable about the whole thing is this is from a guy who was picked in the sixth round. Talk about an organization having faith in a late round rookie stepping in when a seasoned veteran gets injured. This certainly does raise the bar for quarterbacks getting drafted in any round. The achievements he has accomplished, as fans of the game we expect this type of play out of a first rounder. So if you’re a fan of Brady or not, there is no way to deny the history he has been a part of. Astonishing!
