(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Tom Brady arrived in Tampa to become the Buccaneers quarterback on this day in 2020. It was a big deal. Apparently, he had had enough of the "Patriot Way" after twenty years and decided to see what life was like without the thumb of Bill Belichick. Sure, the duo of Brady-Belichick won Super Bowls together but the Patriot-Way seemed to be more about having Tom Brady at quarterback than anything else and Brady wanted to see if the grass was greener elsewhere.
So, in 2020, Brady took his talents to Tampa where he won another Super Bowl ring.
When Tom Brady arrived in Tampa he got off to a rough start. His announcement about switching teams came in the middle of a complete world-wide shut down during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. We recall Brady trying to get a workout in, outside, in a public park. He was kicked out because in those days people were not allowed to go to public parks or local beaches because... well... we still aren't sure why.
Then there was the incident where offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich invited his new quarterback to his home to go over some film and to learn the offense. Brady walked into the wrong house and surprised one of Leftwich's neighbors. But, all in all, with a ring to prove it, things worked out for Brady and Tampa.
Despite the time when Tom Brady arrived in Tampa, it still seems strange to see major sports figures change uniforms mid-career but it happens. So we will quiz you on some of the greats that switched teams on Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida.
TOM BRADY ARRIVED
- This Washington Wizard was known for his days with the Chicago Bulls? Michael Jordan
- This Kansas City Chief was known for his days with the San Francisco 49ers? Joe Montana
- This great wide receiver finished his Hall of Fame career with the Raiders and Seahawks? Jerry Rice
- This great singles hitter played with the New York Yankees from 2012-2014? Ichiro
- This quarterback added and MVP and a Super Bowl ring to his resume with the Denver Broncos? Peyton Manning
- This all-time great running back finished his career with the Arizona Cardinals
- This all-time great quarterback finished his career with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings before retiring? Brett Favre
- This Cincinnati Red finished with the Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos? Pete Rose
- This big man won 4 titles elsewhere but finished his career with the Boston Celtics? Shaq
- This Miami Heat great finished his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018? Dwyane Wade
Tom Brady arrived in Tampa to seize his legacy 4 years ago today. He got off to a rough start because we were in the middle of a pandemic but it all worked out in the end with a Super Bowl trophy. And along the way he buried the myth of the "Patriot-Way."
