Tom Brady has been the NFL’s resident geriatric for such a long time it seems difficult to remember he was ever young.
Brady’s longevity, however, has long since ceased to be a curiosity—it is now record-breaking. He’s the oldest non-kicker to play in an NFL game in the league’s modern era.
Following the legendary signal-caller’s retirement announcement after 23 unforgettable seasons with the Patriots and Buccaneers, it’s worth taking stock of just how rare his perseverance is in a sport that has driven some of its most talented players from the game in less than a decade.
