Tom Brady, renowned as the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history with seven Super Bowl victories over 23 seasons, has recently found his record challenged.

Recent Rule Change Alters Championship Counts

The NFL’s Competition Committee approved a significant proposal this week, allowing statistics from the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) to be officially included in NFL records. This change is particularly noteworthy as it transforms how we view historical achievements in the league.

The AAFC operated from 1946 to 1949 and was a direct competitor to the NFL before its dissolution. The Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and the original Baltimore Colts were among the franchises that transitioned to the NFL in 1950.

Recovering Historical Stats

Although the AAFC recorded its championship statistics up until its end, complete scoresheets from those seasons were lost. Recently recovered records, along with a thorough analysis from the Elias Sports Bureau and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, have now solidified these statistics into the official NFL record books.

Otto Graham’s Legacy Reassessed

With this inclusion, Otto Graham, who led the Browns to four AAFC championships from 1946 to 1949—along with three NFL championships in 1950, 1954, and 1955—now holds a total of seven championships, placing him in a tie with Brady for the highest number in professional football history. As noted by CBS Sports, Graham’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame took place in 1965.

Throughout his career, Graham amassed over 23,000 passing yards, recorded 174 touchdown passes, and added 44 rushing touchdowns, achieving a remarkable balance in his gameplay. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 82.

Brady’s Unrivaled Super Bowl Record

In contrast, Tom Brady retired in 2023 as the leading passer in NFL history, tallying 89,214 yards and 649 touchdown passes. His illustrious career includes 15 Pro Bowl selections, as highlighted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ official website.

Interestingly, both Graham and Brady reached ten championship games, with a 7-3 record in their respective finals. While they are now level in total championships, Brady still retains the record for the most Super Bowl appearances and victories, as the first Super Bowl only occurred in 1967. The NFL plans to separate the AAFC champions from the Super Bowl records in its official accounting.