The GOAT gave the Bucs the greatest two years of all time
TAMPA, Fla. - The greatest of all time gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the greatest two years in the team's history.
Tom Brady signed on with the Bucs in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, shocking the sports world by leaving the winningest NFL franchise for a team with the worst winning percentage in all of sports.
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Brady didn't come to be the savior, but he was.
"Nothing is going to be perfect for a long time, but we're going to work our tails off to get it right," Brady said in his initial meeting with the press after becoming a Buccaneer in 2020.
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With the world in a shutdown, Brady quickly went to work, defying the NFL with his own private workouts on the campus of Berkeley Prep High School. The SkyFOX helicopter gave the world its first look via aerial video of the newest Buc building connections with his new teammates, that admittedly were in awe of the greatest to ever play the game.
"The first time he texted me, I had to get double confirmation from other people that it was actually Brady," recalled Bucs tight end Cameron Brate. "He said, 'Hey this is Tom.' We still kind of had to pinch ourselves the fact that we have him at quarterback."
Even with Brady's tireless preseason efforts, it took time for him to get on the same page with Bruce Arian's offensive playbook.
Football: NFL Playoffs: Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans in stands with cardboard cutouts of Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady and sign that reads MOMMY SAYS NO BOYS EXCEPT BRADY during game vs Los Angeles Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa, FL 1/23/2022 CREDI
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Brady delivered a win in week-2's home opener against the Carolina Panthers. It was his first win as the Bucs' GOAT.
It was also the start of something special – the beginning of belief that the Bucs' chosen one was going to lead them to the Super Bowl.
There would be hiccups on the way to that destination, like a fourth down memory lapse in Chicago, but it all came together in December with four straight wins, followed by four straight playoff victories, and ending with Brady raising a record 7th Lombardi Trophy on home turf.
He became the first Super Bowl winner to win at home.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by P
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2021 brought calls for a repeat.
The Bucs are the first Super Bowl winners to bring back all 22 starters since 1979 for a shot at back-to-back titles.
Despite an overwhelming amount of injuries in key starters and a star receiver quitting in the middle of a game, Brady would lead the Bucs to their most wins in a season in franchise history, going 14-5.
However, Brady's Buccaneer career ends the way it started – with loss.
Bucs fan gets to thank Brady in person for help during cancer battle
A 10-year-old cancer survivor got to thank his idol, Tom Brady for helping him beat brain cancer. The touching moment played out during Sunday night's Bucs game in Tampa when Brady caught up with the young fan after the game and gave him a hat to commemorate the moment.
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In the middle of it all are two of the most memorable seasons that will forever shine in Buccaneer history.
"I've loved that I've been able to do it for as long as I've had," Brady told FOX 13 Sports during his final week with the Bucs. "I love the game and I love being out there with my teammates. Obviously what we've done here the last two seasons has been a lot of fun for me to learn and grow with these players and our organization."