Tom Brady wins Super Bowl 51 MVP
By David Rouben
After the New England Patriots pulled off the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, Tom Brady won the Super Bowl MVP as well.
Just when we thought we had seen it all from the New England Patriots, this happens. Super Bowl LI is now the greatest achievement of Tom Brady’s career after everyone wrote him out when his team was down 28-3. Bill Belichick also became the first ever coach to win five Super Bowl rings.
With 466 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, Brady was the obvious pick for MVP. However, there were other worthy candidates. James White, who scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner and the one that sparked New England’s 26-point comeback, could’ve won. Or Julian Edelman for making arguably the greatest catch since the Immaculate Reception. But in the end, there could really only be one choice.
Unfortunately for Matt Ryan, he couldn’t break the curse of regular season MVPs that lose in the Super Bowl. He came a lot closer than Cam Newton did last year, but Kurt Warner in 1999 remains the last regular season MVP to also cap off his season with a Super Bowl ring. Since then, eight MVPs, including Ryan, made it to the Super Bowl only to come up short.
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As if there was any doubt that Brady was the greatest quarterback of all-time, that should be put to rest. There had to be no better feeling for him than to receive the Lombardi trophy from Roger Goodell while Robert Kraft fired off the greatest subtweet of all-time. Not only does he have his fifth ring, he also now has four Super Bowl MVPs. No matter how you feel about Brady and the Patriots, you have to respect what he’s accomplished.