We often hear about NFL players getting to play for their hometown team either out of the draft or veteran players choosing to go home to finish out their careers.
More often than not, though, NFL players are forced to play against their hometown team rather than for them.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady spent his 23-year career on the East Coast, spending the first 20 years with the New England Patriots and the final three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While his name is synonymous with New England, he didn’t have a connection to Boston until the Patriots selected him with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.
The Jugo Mobile details where Brady called home before attending Michigan and starting his pro football career in New England.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Tom Brady hometown
Brady was born in San Mateo, California on Aug. 3, 1977.
San Mateo is about a half hour from the west coast of California but sits on the coast of the San Francisco Bay. San Mateo is 20 miles south of San Francisco.
Where did Tom Brady grow up?
Brady grew up in San Mateo, California. He was born in San Mateo and lived there until he went to Michigan for college.
Brady’s parents are Galynn Patricia Brady and Tom Brady Sr. He has three older sisters: Maureen, Nancy and Julie.
Tom Brady high school
Brady attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo. He played football, basketball and baseball for the Padres.
While now considered the GOAT, Brady initially had to be the backup for his JV team. He watched from the bench as the team went 0-8 without a touchdown but finally got to start when the starting quarterback got hurt.
Brady graduated from high school in 1995. He then went to college at Michigan, where he played for the Wolverines for four seasons before entering the 2000 NFL Draft.
Tom Brady high school stats
Brady played on the JV football team through his sophomore year of high school and became the varsity starter as a junior.
Stat keeping was done a little differently back then. Numbers vary where you look, but according to the Junipero Serra record book, Brady had 3,514 career passing yards with 33 career touchdowns.
As of 2021, Brady ranks third in the school’s history for most yards in a season (2,121) and third for most yards in a game (331)
MORE DAVANTE ADAMS TRADE: Adams number with Jets | Adams contract details | Jets WR depth chart | Adams trade fantasy impact
Tom Brady’s favorite NFL team
Brady grew up a San Francisco 49ers fan. He would regularly attend games and loved watching Joe Montana play. Brady has long called Montana both an idol and an inspiration.
Brady played in San Franciso only twice in his NFL career — once as a Patriot and once as a Buccaneer.
Video: Tom Brady talks about playing at the 49ers on Sunday for only second time in his career, with a shoutout to @SerraSanMateo going for a state championship. pic.twitter.com/Uwqv3HFhF3
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 8, 2022
Tom Brady college recruiting
College recruiting was a lot different 20 years ago, so Brady made his own highlight tapes to send out to schools.
While the prospect star system wasn’t in place yet, Brady likely would have been considered a three or four-star prospect coming out of high school. His father sent his highlight reel to 54 schools.
Brady narrowed his school selection to the University of California, UCLA, USC, Michigan and Illinois. He eventually went with Michigan despite being drafted out of high school by the Montreal Expos, who thought he could be “one of the greatest catchers ever.”
