Tom Brady Sets New NFL Record, Passing Peyton Manning For Most Total Yards
By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
FOXBORO (CBS) -- Another week, another all-time NFL record for Tom Brady.
During the Patriots' go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, Brady passed Peyton Manning for the most total yards of all time -- regular season and postseason combined.
Brady became the first player in NFL history with 80,000 total yards, passing Manning, who had 79,978 total yards in his career.
Drew Brees owns the all-time regular season mark at 73,180 yards, but Brady's extensive postseason career allowed him to pass both Brees and Manning. Brady has 10,366 total yards in 37 playoff games, compared to Manning's 7,373 yards in 27 postseason games and Brees' 4,251 in 13 postseason games.
MOST TOTAL YARDS IN NFL HISTORY
(REGULAR AND POSTSEASON)
Player Total Yards
Tom Brady 80,074
Peyton Manning 79,978
Brett Favre 79,602
Drew Brees 77,867
On Sunday night, in a win over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, Brady racked up 294 passing yards and one rushing yard to reach his new mark.
"It's unbelievable," head coach Bill Belichick said. "Tom's had a tremendous career and I'm so fortunate that I've been able to coach him. He's been our quarterback since 2001. Yeah, it's a tremendous accomplishment and he's earned it. Nobody has given him anything. He's worked harder than anybody to prepare each week, to practice, to improve, to be healthy, to take care of himself and to know the game plan and know the defense. His achievements – he's earned them and deserves them.
"But yeah, that's a great achievement for him. You're talking about a lot of great, great, great quarterbacks, great players that he's ahead of. It's certainly a testament to him and the longevity and productivity in his great career. Hopefully, he just keeps stacking them up."
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For his part, Brady shared the credit for the award, and said he's just happy that the record belongs to the Patriots.
"I mean, these are all team awards," Brady said. "I certainly can't throw it to myself. I've got so many great teammates, guys blocking and coaches coaching. This is a great team sport. I just see those as all great team awards. I'm happy someone from the Patriots has it, and the fact that I get to play quarterback is pretty great for me."