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via Reuters

via Reuters

The Brady Bunch is a patriotic lot. Tom Brady’s great-uncle, Michael Buckley Jr. was the first American prisoner of war in World War II. As Americans commemorate the tragedy of 9/11, Brady paid tribute to the fallen victims as the United States marks 22 years of the tragic day.

It wasn’t just the 7x SB champ, but teams and players across the NF took to various social media platforms to remember the worst terrorist attack on American soil in history.

Two words that capture the grief and anger of 9/11

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In the Instagram story, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ QB shared the iconic photograph, “Raising the Flag at Ground Zero” taken by Thomas E. Franklin. The image shows three New York City firefighters raising the star-spangled banner at the site of the destroyed World Trade Center. The photograph stirs a cauldron of emotions in every American who looks at it.

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Tom Brady captioned the image with just two words, “Never Forget”. The phrase reminds every American to never forget that fateful day and the impact it had on their beloved nation. As America witnessed the terrorist attack in horror on the unfateful day 22 years back, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives during the chaotic event.

As the overwhelming lot of Americans and the world at large gathered together to recall the pain, it is worth noting that the event also left an everlasting impact on Brady’s career trajectory. 

How 9/11 Changed Tom Brady’s Career Trajectory

When the tragedy happened, the NFL’s second week was underway. The Patriots were set to face the Carolina Panthers on September 16. Week 2 games were rescheduled as Americans were coming to grips with the trauma. 23 September 2001 saw the first game after the tragedy. It was a game that is etched on the hearts of every Patriots fan. The New England Patriots were up against the New York Jets. In the fourth quarter, with the Patriots trailing 10-3, Drew Bledsoe, their QB raced with the ball.

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The Jets’ Mo Lewis crashed with Bledsoe and he fell to the ground, finding it difficult to get up. Then a young second-year player with the number 12 on his jersey walked into the field. It was his first time playing on the field as a pro. The rest, as they say, is history.

via Reuters

Although the Patriots could not beat the Jets in that game, Patriot fans knew something was different. This new guy who came in exuded a different kind of energy. He played differently. Everyone agreed that the New England Patriots were pumping with fresh blood. The new quarterback led the Patriots to a resounding 29-point victory over the Indianapolis Colts the next week. Thus began the career of one of the, if not the, greatest quarterback of all time. Tom Brady would lead the Patriots to winning the Super Bowl, not one, or two, but six times.

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The entire NFL history, and definitely the Patriots’ history, have played out differently had the games not been rescheduled.

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