Tom Brady threw 33 touchdowns at 37-years-old. (Getty)
You don’t find many 37-year-old quarterbacks who can still play at an elite level. Patriots future Hall of Famer Tom Brady certainly falls into that category.
He is the 2nd-oldest QB in the league behind another ageless wonder, Peyton Manning, who just finished his regular season with 39 touchdowns, 1 more than his age.
Brady had an off-year (for his standards) in 2013, but hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down. Born on Aug. 3, 1977, he has said numerous times he’d like to play past his 40th birthday. At the rate he’s going, I don’t see why he can’t.
The Patriots selected Brady in the 6th round (199th overall) out of Michigan. Only 2 other members of that year’s draft class are still active: LB/DE John Abraham (Cardinals, IR) and P Shane Lechler (Texans).
Brady is in his 15th season and has been extremely durable. He played in just 1 game as a rookie, but was thrust into action in his 2nd year when starter Drew Bledsoe had his New England career ended by the Jets’ Mo Lewis. Brady started the rest of the games and went on to win the Super Bowl MVP. At 24, Brady was the 2nd-youngest QB to win a Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers won a title at 23 (Super Bowl XL).
In the 2008 season-opener, Brady tore his knee up and missed the entire year. Other than those instances, he’s played in all 16 games (and then playoffs) in 12 seasons.
Other notable QBs who have played into their 40s are Brett Favre (retired at 41), Doug Flutie (43), Vinny Testaverde (44) and Warren Moon (44).
A tough one for Brady to catch will be George Blanda who played until he was 48, but mostly as a kicker the final 9 seasons. He played some QB, but didn’t play position regularly after the 1966 season when he was 39.
The oldest QB to win a Super Bowl? That would be John Elway at 38 in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway also won a title at 37 the year before.
Other signal-callers to start a Super Bowl at age 37 include Peyton Manning (lost last year), Johnny Unitas (won Super Bowl V), Kurt Warner (lost Super Bowl XLIII) and Rich Gannon (lost Super Bowl XXXVII).
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