Tom Brady led Michigan to victories in the 1999 Citrus Bowl and the 2000 Orange Bowl. He also recorded 5,351 yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 62.3 completion percentage, making him one of the best QBs Michigan has ever produced. Despite his college achievements, how on earth did he sink to the bottom in the NFL Draft?

For Tom Brady, the 2000 NFL Draft was filled with anxiety, celebration, and determination who made his first entrance into professional football after playing for Michigan for five seasons. Perhaps the world didn’t know who Brady was then, but for him, his family, and those who knew him, becoming a 6th-round pick by the New England Patriots wasn’t in their wildest imaginations. And one thing he said to owner Robert Kraft after the franchise picked him is a testament to his self-confidence and belief in himself. 

Tom Brady opens up on the scene behind his NFL Draft 

In the new Apple TV release of the Patriots Dynasty, Tom Brady and his close ones dig up his NFL Draft memories. When he walked into New England as the sixth-round pick, he had a quick chat with Robert Kraft who remembers exactly what the backup QB told him over two decades ago. In the words of Kraft, the “young skinny beanpole kid” came up to him to introduce himself saying, “I’m the best decision your organization has ever made.”

The statement left Kraft speechless and he later replied, “Okay. From your lips to God’s ears, let’s see.” It was too early to say that, considering he wasn’t a top pick nor did he get the role of a starting QB. But the way he was drafted that year, Brady must have a lot of pluck to even think of what he said to Kraft. 

The story behind Tom Brady’s 2000 NFL Draft 

The retired football legend recalled the NFL Draft day as he sat at home watching with his parents. He recalled, “I knew I wasn’t a first-round pick. I thought maybe second or third round. And the third round came and I was like, ‘nothing.’” Tom Brady Sr. remembered them watching till the fifth round and there was no sign or mention of Brady who went out to take his frustration out on a baseball bat imagining the scenario where he wouldn’t get picked at all. 

READ MORE: “Believe in Me”: Tom Brady Tried to inspire the Patriots in his Rookie Year after Drew Bledsoe’s Season-Ending Injury

In that draft year, the Patriots weren’t in immediate need of a QB because they already had Drew Bledsoe who was the face of the franchise. But after being passed up by 30 NFL teams, Tom Brady got a call from HC Bill Belichick as he was drafted in the sixth round as the 199th overall, later becoming the biggest draft steal in the NFL. The confidence was there right from the start and his six Super Bowl wins, four SB MVPs, and three NFL MVPs while with Patriots sums up a promise fulfilled to Kraft in his 20 seasons in New England.

WATCH THIS STORY: “You Get Your Head Out of Your A**”: Ex-Patriots Ol Lashed Out at Tom Brady Over Infamous Sideline Aggression