'Humbled and Honored': Tom Brady Wins Third NFL MVP Award
Brady joins Peyton Manning (5), Brett Favre (3) and Johnny Unitas (3) as the only NFL players with at least three MVP Awards and is also the oldest player in NFL history to be named league MVP
By Marc Fortier ••
The Patriots quarterback and now three-time MVP posted a late night acceptance speech on Twitter ahead of Super Bowl LII.
One night before he hopes to add a sixth Super Bowl title to his collection, Tom Brady has won The Associated Press NFL 2017 Most Valuable Player Award.
The four-time Super Bowl MVP of the New England Patriots also took the regular-season award in 2007 and 2010. He's the fifth straight quarterback to win.
The NFL announced the award on Twitter shortly after 8 p.m.
"I am humbled and honored to accept this award tonight," Brady said in a video posted to Twitter on Saturday night.
"In a team sport like football you certainly can't achieve anything as an individual," he said. "I accept this as an individual award, but to me it's a team award."
At 40, Brady had one of his best seasons with an NFL-leading 4,577 passing yards, 32 touchdown passes and eight interceptions, a passer rating of 102.8 and a 13-3 record to top the AFC. He did that despite missing his top receiver, Julian Edelman, for the entire season.
Brady joins Peyton Manning (5), Brett Favre (3) and Johnny Unitas (3) as the only NFL players with at least three MVP Awards and is also the oldest player in NFL history to be named league MVP.
"I know I'm one of the older guys in the league, but I still look up to a lot of you younger players," Brady said in his acceptance video.
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Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 37-31. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots signals for a touchdown during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots feels the pressure of Breeland Speaks #57 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. After the Chiefs tied the game at 40-40 on a long touchdown later in the quarter, Brady led a game-winning drive capped by Stephen Gostkowski's 28-yard field goal as time expired. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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Tom Brady celebrates a touchdown with Danny Amendola in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC championship NFL football game on Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Brady engineered a game-winning drive to help the Patriots defeat the Jaguars 24-20.
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Tom Brady's late-game heroics were on display against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a comeback victory on Dec. 17, 2017, clinching the AFC East for the Patriots.
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Tom Brady reacts with Brandin Cooks of the New England Patriots after a game-winning touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Houston Texans on Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 36-33 on Brady's last-minute drive.
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Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots celebrates against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2016, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots won the game 22-17.
Tom Brady passed for 193 yards to lead the Patriots to a win over over the New Yorl Giants, 27-26, on Nov. 15, 2015.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots went on to win the game 30-23.
Tom Brady celebrates after the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes over Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata in the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 35-31.
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Tom Brady celebrates after leading the Patriots to a win over the New York Jets on Dec. 21, 2014. The Patriots won 17-13.
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Tom Brady takes a snap during the Patriots' Dec. 7, 2014 win against the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots won 23-14.
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Jabaal Sheard of the Cleveland Browns presses Tom Brady of the New England Patriots on Dec. 8, 2013, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 27-26.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots looks over Earl Mitchell of the Houston Texans for a receiver in the third quarter on Dec. 1, 2013, in Houston. The Patriots won the game 34-31.
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Tom Brady celebrates after a victory over the Broncos on Nov. 24, 2013. The Patriots won the game 34-31 in overtime.
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Wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins of the New England Patriots catches the game-winning touchdown in front of cornerback Jabari Greer of the New Orleans Saints in the closing seconds of the game on Oct. 13, 2013, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Patriots won 30-27.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots hands the ball off to Stevan Ridley during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8, 2013, in Orchard Park, New York. The Patriots went on to win 23-21.
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The Jets left Brady time and it was their downfall. Brady engineered a game-winning drive to defeat New York 29-26 in overtime on Oct. 21, 2012.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 52-28.
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Tom Brady celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during their AFC championship NFL football game on Jan. 22, 2012, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 23-20.
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Tom Brady drives against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 24, 2011, a game the Patriots won 27-24.
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Tom Brady led the Patriots on a late game-winning drive against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 16, 2011. The final score was 20-16.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 19, 2010, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots went on to win the game 31-27.
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Tom Brady throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the Thanksgiving game on Nov. 25, 2010. The Patriots won 45-24.
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Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots kick the game-winning field goal as Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens watches from the sidelines at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 17, 2010, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 23-20 in overtime.
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Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots speaks to wide receiver Randy Moss during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 14, 2009, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots went on to win the game 25-24.
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Tom Brady and the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the New York Giants on Dec. 29, 2007, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots won 38-35.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots calls a play against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 3, 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland, a game the Patriots won 27-24.
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Tom Brady drops back against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 25, 2007, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-28.
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Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and Tom Brady meet on the field after the Patriots won their game 24-20 on Nov. 4, 2007 in Indianapolis.
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Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots throws a 6-yard touchdown pass during the second quarter of the AFC divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 14, 2007, in San Diego. The Patriots won 24-21.
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Quarterback Tom Brady raises his arms against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 3, 2006, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Lions 28-21.
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Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 26, 2006, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bears 17-13.
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Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is sacked by Chris Kelsay of the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 10, 2006, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 19-17.
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Quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with defensive end Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 13, 2005, in Miami. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 23-16.
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Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 30, 2005, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 21-16.
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Quarterback Tom Brady pumps his fist after a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 9, 2005, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 31-28.
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Tom Brady passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 25, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pats defeated the Steelers 23-20.
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Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, on Feb. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida. The Patriots won 24-21.
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Quarterback Tom Brady points out the defense during the game against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 3, 2004, in Orchard Park, New York. The Patriots defeated the Bills 31-17.
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Quarterback Tom Brady raises his arms in celebration of a play against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29.
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Running back Antowain Smith #33 of the New England Patriots runs the ball during the game against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC divisional playoffs on January 10, 2004 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Titans 17-14 to advance to the AFC Championship game. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
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Tight end Christian Fauria of the New England Patriots celebrates during the game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 30, 2003, in Indianapolis. The Patriots defeated the Colts 38-34.
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Wide receiver Deion Branch of the New England Patriots runs the ball in overtime against the Houston Texans on Nov. 23, 2003, in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Texans 23-20 in overtime.
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Quarterback Tom Brady throws an interception to the Denver Broncos in the first quarter on Nov. 3, 2003, in Denver. The Patriots won 30-26.
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Wide receiver Troy Brown of the New England Patriots is tackled during the game against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 19, 2003, in Miami. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 19-13 in overtime.
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Running back Antowain Smith of the New England Patriots looks for room to run against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 5, 2003, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Titans 38-30.
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Christian Fauria of the New England Patriots catches a two-point conversion to cut the score to 24-21 against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 29, 2002, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 27-24 in overtime.
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Wide Receiver Deion Branch of the New England Patriots has possession of the ball against the Chicago Bearson Nov. 10, 2002, in Champaign, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 33-30.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with wide receiver David Patten after his second half touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Foxboro, Mass. Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002. The Patriots won in overtime, 41-38.
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New England Patriots' J.R. Redmond pulls down a pass from Tom Brady during the final drive against the St. Louis Rams during Super Bowl XXXVI, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The completion helped set up the winning 48-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri with no time left.
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New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady delivers a pass against the Oakland Raiders in Foxboro, Mass., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002. The final call of the so-called "Snow Bowl" or "Tuck Rule" game was Patriots 16, Raiders 13.
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New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri pumps his fist after kicking the game winning field goal in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001. The Patriots won 12-9.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes the ball during the second quarter against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Brady completed 20 of 28 passes for 218 yards as the Patriots beat the Jets 17-16.
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New England Patriots wide receiver Terry Glenn (88) makes a reception as he eludes San Diego Chargers cornerback Alex Molden, left, during the second quarter at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday Oct. 15, 2001. The final score of Tom Brady's first-ever game winning performance was Patriots 29, Chargers 26 in overtime.
Brady earned 40 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. That easily outdistanced Rams running back Todd Gurley with eight, and Eagles QB Carson Wentz with two. Wentz was considered a strong MVP contender before tearing up his left knee in Game 13.
It's the fifth time in team history that a Patriots player has earned league MVP honors. Two former Boston Patriots AFL greats earned league MVP honors in the 1960s.
Comedian Juston McKinney shows off Tommy Tape, which can help all-stars like Tom Brady win championships (no matter what condition his hand is in.)
Gino Cappelletti was the first to claim the honor in 1964. In 1966, Patriots running back Jim Nance rushed for a franchise record 1,458 yards to earn league MVP honors, a team record that lasted for 29 seasons.
On Sunday, Brady will extend his record by starting in his eighth Super Bowl and will attempt to move out of a tie with Charles Haley (5) as the only player in NFL history to win six Super Bowls.
