New England Patriots Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady was named the Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. Brady received 51 votes, 18 more than runner up tennis player Roger Federer. Boston Red Sox pitcher and post season hero Josh Beckett got 7 votes and finished in 6th place.
Brady has led the Patriots to a 14-0 record and they are two wins shy of capping a perfect season. They are only the second team in NFL history to win it’s first 14 games of the season, the other is the 1972 Miami Dolphins who finished a then 14-game season undefeated. Miami then won two playoff games and Super Bowl VII and finished 17-0.
Brady has thrown 45 touchdown passes, 4 shy of Peyton Manning’s record while throwing only 6 interceptions. The +39 TD/INT differential is tied for the best in NFL history. Brady is also with in striking distance of setting a NFL record for completion percentage.
Brady is the first football player to win the award since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana won the award in back-to-back seasons in 1989 and 1990. Brady, who grew up in the greater San Francisco area, idolized Montana as a youngster.
Brady was determined though to spread the praise around when told of the award:
“I play in a team sport,” Brady said. “Everybody I play with is responsible for what each of us accomplishes as individuals and for what we all accomplish as a team.”
Brady is known around the NFL as a fierced competitor but respected not only by his teammates but by his opponents as well, who know if you give him the chance he will carve you up and leave you and your team for dead on the field.
Just ask the 14 teams they’ve beaten this year.
