In Game 1 of the 2007 season NFL security busted up the New England Patriots' espionage ring—what came to be known as Spygate. Bill Belichick was having his film crew tape the opposing team's defensive signals. The Patriots went on to football's first 16-0 regular season record and it was only one of the greatest underdog performances in NFL history by Eli Manning's New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII—including the famed Helmet Catch by David Tyree—that stopped Tom Brady and the Patriots from cementing the title of Greatest Team Ever. Was Brady and the New England Patriots dynasty tainted? 🐦 Tell us what you think of this episode on Twitter at @DiversionPods ▶️ Diversion brings real stories to life: diversionaudio.com

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The rivalry between Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts (and then the Denver Broncos) was so intense that it carried over to games played between Brady and Peyton’s little brother Eli Manning—and not just in the Super Bowl. Peyton once asked the New York Giants defense, through Eli, to prevent Tom Brady from breaking his single season TD record. In return, if the mission was accomplished, the Giants defense requested Peyton pick up the check at an expensive Manhattan steakhouse. Porterhouse or New York strip? 🗣 Send us your comments on the show on Twitter at @DiversionPods ▶️ Diversion brings real stories to life: DiversionPodcasts.com

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Tom Brady was a draft day afterthought as the 199th overall pick when he went to the New England Patriots in 2000. Peyton Manning was born into NFL royalty, destined to be the #1 overall pick and greatness on the Indianapolis Colts and then the Denver Broncos. This unlikely pairing of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning produced the greatest rivalry in NFL football history, and one that many feel shaped the modern NFL in many ways.

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The streets of New Orleans in the week leading up to the St. Louis Rams-New England Patriots Super Bowl XXXVI were red, white, and blue. It was about five months after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. It was the most patriotic Super Bowl ever, so maybe it was appropriate the Patriots won.

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Tom Brady saved Bill Belichick's job. Bill Belichick was 5-11 in his first season as the coach of the New England Patriots. Belichick was 0-2 in his second season when Drew Bledsoe was injured so badly that both his football career and his life was on the line. Belichick knew he was on a short leash—or thin ice—and could be fired at the end of the season.

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In game 2 of Tom Brady’s second season with the New England Patriots, starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered internal bleeding after a hit and almost died. The next man up was Brady.

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Tom Brady became mentally tough at Michigan. He felt slighted from the day he arrived to the final game of his college career. He was even benched during an overtime victory against Alabama while throwing for 369 yards and four touchdowns.

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Tom Brady has a complicated history with the University of Michigan. He was estranged from the school he loves for more than a decade after graduation. Why?

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In the twenty seasons Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft were together, The New England Patriots went to nine Super Bowls and won six. How did "The Big Three" come together?

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The G.O.A.T.: Tom Brady looks back at the exceptional career of the great—or the greatest—NFL quarterback to play the game. Hosted by sportswriter Gary Myers.

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