Answer Summary
Tom Brady appeared in nine Super Bowls as the starting quarterback, winning six. He played in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII and won XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII. He did not start in Super Bowl XLVI (injured reserve) or Super Bowl LV (lost as starter). The wins spanned 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019; the near misses occurred across 2008, 2012, and 2021. These appearances and outcomes define much of his sustained excellence.
What This Article Covers
This article lists each Super Bowl year Brady started, the result, opponent, and core context. It clarifies starts versus non-starts, differentiates wins and losses, and summarizes his overall Super Bowl record. The focus is on clear, verified facts that remain useful over time.
Tom Brady Super Bowl Appearances By Season
For clarity, here is a concise table of each season in which Brady started a Super Bowl, the opponent, venue, result, and whether his team won. Years are shown by season and calendar year of the game.
| Season | Super Bowl | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Outcome for Brady |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | XXXVI | Feb 3, 2002 | St. Louis Rams | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA | 20–17 | Win |
| 2003 | XXXVIII | Feb 1, 2004 | Carolina Panthers | Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX | 32–29 | Win |
| 2004 | XXXIX | Feb 7, 2005 | Philadelphia Eagles | Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FL | 24–21 | Win |
| 2014 | XLIX | Feb 1, 2015 | Seattle Seahawks | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 28–24 | Win |
| 2016 | LI | Feb 5, 2017 | Atlanta Falcons | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 34–28 OT | Win |
| 2018 | LIII | Feb 3, 2019 | Los Angeles Rams | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 13–3 | Win |
| 2012 | XLII | Feb 4, 2008 | New York Giants | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 17–14 | Loss |
| 2015 | XLIX | Feb 1, 2015 | Seattle Seahawks | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 28–24 | Loss |
| 2020 | LV | Feb 7, 2021 | Kansas City Chiefs | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | 9–31 | Loss |
Key Notes on the Table
- Nine Super Bowl starts: the most by any NFL quarterback.
- Six wins (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII) and three losses (XLII, XLIX, LV).
- He did not start Super Bowl XLVI (replaced due to injury); he was on injured reserve and later won as backup in that game.
- Win percentages for starts: 66.7% (6 wins in 9 starts).
Context Around Each Super Bowl
For enduring usefulness, it is helpful to note the season context and notable opponents without framing results as ephemeral news.
- Super Bowl XXXVI: The debut start; first of three in a four-year span, win over the Rams in New Orleans.
- Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX: Back-to-back wins vs. the Panthers and Eagles, bookending the Patriots’ 2000s dynasty.
- Super Bowls XLIX and LI: High-profile wins vs. Seattle; LI featured the now-famous comeback in Houston.
- Super Bowl LIII: A defensive win over the Rams in Atlanta, part of Brady’s later-career resurgence.
- Super Bowls XLII and XLIX: Near-misses against the Giants and Seahawks in what many viewed as winnable games.
- Super Bowl LV: The lone start of the Brady–Belichick era loss in Tampa, ending that season’s run.
Clarifying Starts vs. Non-Starts
Brady’s involvement in Super Bowl XLVI warrants clarification. He was listed on the inactive roster due to injury and did not take the field; the Patriots won that game. In Super Bowl LV, he started and his team lost. These distinctions matter for discussions of his direct role versus team outcomes.
Brady’s Overall Super Bowl Record
Across his career, Brady’s Super Bowl numbers are frequently cited as evidence of sustained excellence. Below is a compact summary broken down by outcome type for quick reference.
| Category | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl Appearances (starts) | 9 | Most by any quarterback |
| Wins | 6 | 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019 |
| Losses | 3 | 2008, 2012, 2021 |
| Non-starts (on roster/injured) | 1 | Super Bowl XLVI (won as backup) |
| Championship seasons | 6 | Aligns with Super Bowl wins listed above |
Why These Years Matter Long-Term
Brady’s Super Bowl journey reflects consistency across two decades, adaptation to rule changes, and sustained performance under media and fan scrutiny. His starts span multiple head coaches, offensive schemes, and roster builds. This continuity makes his Super Bowl timeline a durable reference point for evaluating greatness, leadership, and clutch performance in high-leverage contexts.
Common Questions
- Did Tom Brady start all of his Super Bowl appearances? No; he started nine and was a non-starter in one (Super Bowl XLVI).
- Which Super Bowl was his first win? Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.
- Which Super Bowl was his last start? Super Bowl LV in 2021.
- How many Super Bowl wins does he have? Six as a starter; he also has a seventh championship via Super Bowl XLVI as a backup.
- Which opponents did he beat in his wins? St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots (XLIX), Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Rams.
Takeaway
Tom Brady’s Super Bowl timeline is simple to state—nine starts, six wins, three losses—but it represents two decades of excellence. Understanding the year-by-year context helps illustrate consistency, adaptability, and sustained performance at the highest level of professional football.