Tom Brady Raiders Percentage: Unpacking The Nearly Happened Deal
Have you ever stopped to wonder about those big "what if" moments in sports, the ones that almost, just almost, changed everything? You know, the kind of story that gets everyone talking, repeating the details, a bit like how a certain famous virtual cat can repeat what you say? Well, when it comes to the legendary quarterback Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders, there’s a captivating tale that fits this perfectly, centered around a whispered "tom brady raiders percentage."
This idea, this very real possibility of Tom Brady wearing silver and black, has really captured the imagination of football fans for quite some time. It's a fascinating thought, isn't it? The sheer magnitude of a player like Brady potentially joining a team like the Raiders, it definitely stirs up a lot of discussion and speculation, even years later. People still ask, "How close was it?"
We're going to pull back the curtain on this intriguing chapter, looking at the actual numbers, the surprising revelations, and why this highly anticipated move never actually happened. It’s a story that, honestly, feels like a piece of sports lore, and it still sparks conversations among fans who just can't help but wonder about the path not taken.
Table of Contents
- The Legend of Tom Brady
- Tom Brady: Personal Details and Biography
- The "What If": Tom Brady and the Raiders
- The Famous "Percentage" Revelation
- Why the Deal Didn't Happen
- The Aftermath: What It Meant for Everyone
- Lingering Questions and the Fan Perspective
- Frequently Asked Questions About Brady and the Raiders
The Legend of Tom Brady
Tom Brady, you know, is pretty much a household name, even if you don't follow football closely. He's widely considered the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. His career with the New England Patriots, it was just something else. He won six Super Bowls there, a truly amazing run that redefined what success looks like in professional sports.
After two decades with the Patriots, a lot of people wondered what would happen next. Would he retire? Would he play for another team? This period, you see, was full of intense speculation. Everyone had an opinion, and frankly, a lot of teams were probably dreaming of having him on their roster. He was, and still is, a superstar, a player who makes every game an adventure, much like how a cool virtual pet makes every day a fun discovery for players around the world.
His incredible longevity and continued high level of play into his 40s really set him apart. He kept defying expectations, showing that age was, in a way, just a number for him. This made his free agency decision in 2020 a massive story, probably one of the biggest in recent sports memory, actually.
Tom Brady: Personal Details and Biography
To really get a feel for the person at the center of this "tom brady raiders percentage" talk, it helps to know a bit about him. He's a very public figure, of course, but his journey to becoming a legend is quite something. Here are some quick facts about the man himself.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. |
| Born | August 3, 1977 |
| Birthplace | San Mateo, California |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| College | Michigan |
| NFL Draft | 2000 / Round: 6 / Pick: 199 |
| NFL Teams | New England Patriots (2000–2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022) |
| Super Bowl Wins | 7 (Most by any player) |
| MVPs | 3 NFL MVP awards, 5 Super Bowl MVP awards |
His draft position, as you can see, was pretty low for someone who achieved so much. This just goes to show that sometimes, the biggest stars come from unexpected places. It's a story of perseverance, and frankly, a lot of hard work. He truly built his own legend, one incredible play at a time.
The "What If": Tom Brady and the Raiders
The idea of Tom Brady playing for the Las Vegas Raiders, it wasn't just some fan's wild dream, you know. It was a very real discussion, especially during that pivotal 2020 offseason. Brady was a free agent for the first time in his long career, and every team with a need at quarterback, and enough money, was probably looking at him. The Raiders, having recently moved to Las Vegas, were definitely one of those teams with a lot of buzz around them.
There was a lot of talk, a lot of whispers, and frankly, a lot of hope among Raiders fans. The team was looking for a fresh start in their new city, and bringing in a player of Brady's caliber would have been, in a way, the ultimate statement. It felt like a perfect fit for a franchise trying to make a big splash. This was a time when the team was looking to really explore new possibilities, almost like a virtual pet exploring its world for the first time, you know?
Reports at the time suggested that the Raiders were indeed a serious contender for Brady's services. It wasn't just idle chatter. There were actual conversations happening, and the possibility seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. This was a situation where the "tom brady raiders percentage" felt like it was climbing higher and higher, at least from an outside perspective.
The Famous "Percentage" Revelation
So, where did this specific "tom brady raiders percentage" come from? It wasn't just a random guess, you see. The exact figure, or at least the strong implication of how close it was, came from a very surprising source: Dana White, the president of the UFC. He revealed this incredible tidbit during an ESPN broadcast in August 2022, a couple of years after Brady made his decision.
White, a close friend of Brady and former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, explained that he had put together a deal for Brady and Gronkowski to join the Raiders in 2020. He said that the deal was, in his words, "all but done." He went on to say that Brady was, more or less, ready to join the team. This was a pretty big bombshell, honestly, and it instantly reignited all the "what if" discussions.
According to White, Brady and Gronkowski were prepared to sign with the Raiders. This meant the "tom brady raiders percentage" was incredibly high, perhaps 90% or even higher, in their minds. White even said that Brady was looking at houses in the Las Vegas area. It truly seemed like a done deal from their side, a very real possibility that was just moments away from becoming reality.
This revelation really gave fans a concrete number to think about, even if it wasn't an official one. It showed just how close the Raiders were to landing the greatest quarterback of all time. It was a moment that made everyone gasp, truly, and it changed how people looked back at that 2020 offseason.
Why the Deal Didn't Happen
If the "tom brady raiders percentage" was so high, if it was "all but done," then why didn't it happen? This is where the story takes a turn, and it points to one person in particular: Jon Gruden, who was the Raiders' head coach at the time. Dana White explicitly stated that Gruden was the reason the deal fell apart.
White claimed that Gruden, at the very last minute, "nixed" the deal. He reportedly told the Raiders' ownership that he didn't want Brady. This was a shocking twist, considering Brady's legendary status and his proven ability to win championships. It left a lot of people scratching their heads, frankly.
The reasoning behind Gruden's alleged decision has been a topic of much speculation. Some believe he wanted to stick with Derek Carr, the team's existing quarterback, or perhaps he preferred a different style of play. Others suggest he might have wanted to build the team his own way, without bringing in such a dominant personality like Brady. It's hard to say for sure, but his choice, apparently, was the ultimate roadblock.
This decision, if White's account is accurate, had massive implications for both Brady and the Raiders. It sent Brady looking elsewhere, and it kept the Raiders on a different path. It's a stark reminder that sometimes, even when things seem nearly certain, a single person's decision can change everything. It's a bit like playing a mini-game, where one wrong move can alter the entire outcome, you know?
The Aftermath: What It Meant for Everyone
After the Raiders deal fell through, Tom Brady, as we all know, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What happened next was truly remarkable. In his very first season with the Buccaneers, Brady led them to a Super Bowl victory in 2021. He showed everyone that he still had plenty left in the tank, and that he could win a championship with a new team, too. This was a huge moment for him, and for the Buccaneers franchise.
For the Raiders, the story was quite different. They continued with Derek Carr as their quarterback. While Carr had some good moments, the team struggled to achieve consistent success, especially compared to the heights Brady reached in Tampa. The Raiders made the playoffs once under Gruden, but they didn't get very far. Gruden himself later resigned from his position due to unrelated issues, as a matter of fact.
The "tom brady raiders percentage" conversation, you see, highlights a pivotal moment in sports history. Had Gruden not reportedly stepped in, the entire landscape of the NFL could have looked very different. The Raiders might have had a Super Bowl trophy in their new Las Vegas home much sooner. Brady's career might have ended with a different team, and perhaps even more championships. It's a fascinating ripple effect, honestly.
This whole situation, it really shows how close calls can shape legacies. It also reminds us that in sports, as in life, sometimes the most exciting possibilities are the ones that almost happen. It leaves a lasting question in the minds of fans, a question that still gets talked about today.
Lingering Questions and the Fan Perspective
Even now, years after the fact, the "tom brady raiders percentage" continues to be a hot topic among football fans, especially those who cheer for the Raiders. It’s a classic "what if" scenario that just won't go away. People still wonder: What would Brady have achieved with the Raiders? How would the team's history have changed?
For Raiders fans, this story is a mix of fascination and, perhaps, a little bit of regret. They saw what Brady did in Tampa, and they can't help but imagine that same success in silver and black. It's a missed opportunity that still stings for some, a moment where the team was so close to something truly special, you know?
The story also adds to Tom Brady's already incredible legend. It shows that even the greatest players face unexpected turns in their careers. It's a testament to his drive that he went on to win another Super Bowl, even after this particular door closed. He just kept going, exploring new challenges, much like a virtual pet superstar on an ultimate adventure.
This tale, you see, is a powerful example of how quickly things can change in professional sports. It's a reminder that rumors, even wild ones, sometimes have a very real basis. It keeps us all guessing, and it keeps the conversations lively, which is, honestly, a big part of what makes sports so engaging.
You can learn more about Tom Brady's incredible career on our site, and link to this page for more insights into NFL free agency moments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brady and the Raiders
Here are some common questions people ask about the Tom Brady to Raiders rumors, especially after Dana White's big reveal.
Was Tom Brady ever going to play for the Raiders?
According to UFC President Dana White, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were very close to signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. White said the deal was "all but done," suggesting a very high "tom brady raiders percentage" of happening.
Who stopped Tom Brady from joining the Raiders?
Dana White claimed that then-Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was the one who ultimately "nixed" the deal. Gruden reportedly told the team's ownership that he did not want Brady.
Why didn't Tom Brady go to the Raiders?
The primary reason, based on Dana White's account, was Jon Gruden's decision. Despite the high likelihood of Brady joining, Gruden's alleged intervention prevented the move from happening, sending Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers instead.
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