QUARTERBACK GREAT Tom Brady throws a pass during Super Bowl XLIX 4
Calm and in control That’s how Tom Brady felt in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIX on February 1 2015 His New England Patriots were down by 10 points They had jumped out to an early lead outplaying the Seattle Seahawks But fans called Seattle’s fierce defense the Legion of Boom for a reason They tackled Brady for a sack and snagged two interceptions Then the Seahawks offense got hot Quarterback Russell Wilson led the team to 17 points Going into the final period Seattle was up 24 14 Did Brady panic Not a chance Instead he did what he does best 5
Brady took control and rallied his team Over the next few minutes the Patriots drove for two touchdowns Brady hit wide receiver Julian Edelman for the second touchdown with about two minutes left in the game Just like that New England had the lead 28 24 Brady had set up his team for victory again Brady right hands the ball to running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl XLIX The Seahawks still had a chance They drove down the field With one yard to go for a touchdown Wilson threw a pass Patriots rookie Malcolm Butler grabbed the ball for an interception The win was sealed for New England The Patriots erupted in cheers For Brady this was Super Bowl victory number four Many fans would remember the game for Seattle’s decision on the one-yard line Why would they pass instead of run with 6
only one yard to gain But if Brady hadn’t led his team’s comeback Seattle’s blunder would not have mattered Many quarterbacks put up big numbers Tom Brady’s heroics in the biggest games set him apart from the rest Year after year he delivers at the most important times He is nearing 40 years old a time when most football players have long since retired Yet Brady is still playing at a peak level He may not be finished collecting Super Bowl trophies Brady celebrates after winning Super Bowl XLIX Around the world more than 114 million people watched Super Bowl XLIX on TV That made it the most watched TV show ever at the time 7
