The New England Patriots quarterback on Sunday became the first unanimous choice for the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award since the AP began using a nationwide panel of media members who cover the league.
He surpassed himself, too: In 2007, when Brady won his first MVP, he got 49 votes; one voter went for Brett Favre.
“It is always flattering to be chosen for such a prestigious award,” said Brady, a former Michigan quarterback. “But I also look at it as a team award, as nothing in football gets accomplished without the mental toughness and determination of every player and coach associated with that team.
“I am very humbled to be a part of an organization where winning comes first, and our goals are based around the success of the team.”
Those successes, including three Super Bowl titles in the last 10 years, are in great part due to Brady’s excellence.
Although he didn’t set nearly as many passing marks as in ’07, Brady by far was the league’s top performer in leading New England to a 14-2 record, best in the NFL. He had a record streak of 355 throws without being intercepted, and passed for 36 touchdowns with only four picks.
Brady followed his previous MVP trophy with a lost season, tearing left knee ligaments in the first half of the 2008 opener. His return in 2009 was solid, although hand and rib injuries slowed him.
This year, even with a sore right foot that required postseason surgery, Brady was simply dynamic. He twice threw for four touchdowns in a game and four times had three. Twelve times, he had a passer rating of at least 100.
And he guided a young team in transition to 14 victories.
“Brady is so special because he’s such a great leader and all the players can relate to him,” team owner Robert Kraft said. “These kids (rookies) who come in live in awe of him, but the nice thing is he treats them well.
“He works very hard, he studies very hard,” Kraft added. “Being a great quarterback isn’t just being very skilled. It’s being able to process information quickly, to make the adjustments, and I think he’s fabulous at that.”
Source: The Detroit News
