NFL: 4 backup quarterbacks who became stars

Football: New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (12) and Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other on field after preseason game at Gillette Stadium.Foxborough, MA 8/13/2015CREDIT: Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X159854 TK1 )
Football: New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (12) and Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other on field after preseason game at Gillette Stadium.Foxborough, MA 8/13/2015CREDIT: Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X159854 TK1 ) /
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NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES: New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (L) and Drew Bledsoe (R) celebrate their team’s victory over the St. Louis Rams 03 February, 2002 in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 for the NFL championship. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES: New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (L) and Drew Bledsoe (R) celebrate their team’s victory over the St. Louis Rams 03 February, 2002 in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 for the NFL championship. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Love him or hate him (and he has plenty on both sides), this one was a no-brainer.

Most of us know by now the story. The 199th overall pick after beginning his career at Michigan as seventh on the depth chart. An afterthought for the middling Patriots until former top pick Drew Bledsoe went down. And faster than you can say “Wally Pipp,” Brady hasn’t looked back.

Now arguably the greatest quarterback to play the game and perhaps the most successful athlete of the 21st Century, the accolades continue to pile up.

Brady has four Super Bowl wins in six appearances, three Super Bowl MVP’s, two regular season MVPs (2007, 2010), 11 Pro Bowls and has an insane career .771 winning percentage and several single season and career NFL records.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best QB of All-Time

Five years after Brady retires, he will be in the Hall of Fame and at the center of any discussion about the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Not too bad for a former sixth round pick.