TAMPA, Fla. — Now that we’ve heard the retirement news directly from the GOAT’s mouth, a final reflection on Tom Brady’s career seems in order.
Emphasis on "final."
Considering how the firsts of Brady’s 22-year NFL life (first start, first win, first Super Bowl triumph) have been documented to death, we shift our attention to his lasts, which means Leonard Fournette now finds himself the answer to a doozy of a trivia question.
Here’s Brady’s final countdown, as it were. The first four items on this list occurred in the Jan. 23 NFC division playoff game against the Rams.
— Last start: NFC division playoff vs. Rams, Raymond James Stadium
— Last play: Handoff to Leonard Fournette, for a 9-yard TD around right end with 42 seconds remaining
— Last pass: 9-yard completion over middle to Cameron Brate
— Last TD pass: 55-yarder down right sideline to Mike Evans with 3:20 remaining
— Last TD run: 1-yard sneak vs. Bills, Dec. 12, 2021 (33-27 overtime win)
— Last interception: By Rams safety Nick Scott at Bucs’ 31-yard line (no gain on return)
— Last sack: By Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd, for a 9-yard loss
— Last lost fumble: vs. Saints, Dec. 19, 2021 (forced by Cameron Jordan, recovered by Marshon Lattimore)
— Last pick-six: By Marlon Davidson (3-yard return) at Falcons, Dec. 5, 2021
— Last win as starter: 31-15 home victory vs. Eagles, NFC wild-card round, Jan. 16, 2022
— Last 400-yard passing effort: 28-24 win at Jets, Jan. 2, 2022 (34 of 50, 410 yards, three TDs, one INT)
— Last game with 4 TD passes: 30-17 win at Falcons, Dec. 5, 2021 (38 of 51, 368 yards, four TDs, one INT)
— Last game with 5 TD passes: 45-17 win vs. Dolphins, Oct. 10, 2021 (30 of 41, 411 yards, five TDs, no INTs)
— Last game-winning drive: 28-24 win at Jets, Jan. 2 (nine plays, 93 yards, 1:57; 33-yard TD pass to Cyril Grayson)
