Whatever happened in 2000?
NFL GOAT Tom Brady submitted “retirementEssay_version2_final.pdf” on Monday night to finally cap a legendary 22-year career.
The three-time Most Valuable Player casually retired for the second time via a Twitter video because he said he already used his one “emotional retirement essay” last year.
By now, nobody should dispute Brady’s legacy. This guy has won in three different decades, had a career spanning five US presidents, tossed the Lombardi Trophy from one boat to another and got drunk in his last Super Bowl celebration.
In honor of Brady’s seven Super Bowl titles, we went back in time and listed down seven other things that also shaped the world when the GOAT entered the NFL at the turn of the millenia.
Say My Name
Destiny’s Child hit single "Say My Name" was playing atop the music charts the month Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots. You could say it’s destiny, child, that a number 199 pick eventually became the sport's greatest player.
Mission: Impossible 2
Coincidentally, the lead actor of this film is also named Tom, who also happens to have a lengthy career (Cruise is still making box office hits at age 60!). "Mission: Impossible 2," the spy-action film sequel to "Mission: Impossible" was the highest grossing movie of 2000 with a box office haul of $546.4 million.
Nokia 3310
Nokia 3310 was released in 2000 and became an icon for its generation. Before smartphones, this revolutionary brick of a phone was the go-to cellular device. Who could forget Snake? Also, who misses not charging everyday?
PlayStation 2
Speaking of icons and game-changers, the Sony PlayStation 2 also entered the scene in 2000 and became the best-selling console of all time with 155 million units sold. One could say that the PS2 and Brady are alike in a sense that they hold up against the best of the best in their respective fields even up to this day. Now, if you’re looking for that sign to get that PS2 from storage and relive some childhood memories, this is it.
Flash drives
Yes! This small but terrible device arrived in the scene in 2000, essentially making the floppy disks extinct. Up to this date, the USB remains a staple only with way more storage available. Who here remembers failing to submit their assignments because the USB was “corrupted”?
2000 babies
Not to make anyone feel old, but here are some famous people born in the year 2000: New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, most-followed TikTok personality Khaby Lame, and House of the Dragon’s young Rhaenyra Targaryen actress Milly Alcock (my queen!).
Happenings in other sports?
Just as Brady started his career in the NFL, the Los Angeles Lakers won the first title of their three-peat with Shaquille O’Neal, Tiger Woods became the fifth golfer with a “modern grand slam” following his victory in the British Open. Woods was also named Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.