By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor

The AP’s vote for Athlete of the Decade couldn’t come at a better time, a time when some fair-weather fans are doubting the Patriots Golden Boy. While Tiger Woods won the vote despite his current women (very plural) troubles, Brady came in fifth in the votes, behind Woods, Lance Armstrong (the guy beat cancer!), Roger Federer, and Michael Phelps.

Not bad for Brady. Its hard to compete with a 56 PGA Tour winner, six-time Tour de France winner, arguably the best tennis player in the world, and 8 Olympic Gold Medals.

Three Super Bowls rings and four Super Bowl appearances in one decade and the only QB to have lead his team to a perfect season (although maybe not for long, cough Manning, cough Brees) is something that should be celebrated. Brady has also been named Super Bowl MVP twice, and holds the record for most touchdown passes in a season (beating out Manning ). Along with many other awards and records, too many to list, the AP did vote him Male Athlete of the year in 2007.

He’s also the only one voted on the list not only from the NFL, but from a team sport in general. So, Brady is easily the best NFL Athlete of the Decade. It’s definitely a lot harder to be recognized and stand out on a whole team of people. I can only wonder if quarterback was a one-man game, the kinds of records Brady would set. As a team, when Brady’s teammates perform poorly, he suffers the consequences with them. Just think about how many passes he could complete if he didn’t have to worry about someone dropping the ball, or failing to block him.

What’s mostly impressive is how Brady got here. Brady sat the bench at Michigan for two years before earning a starting position. He was drafted in the sixth round to the Patriots in 2000 as a fourth-string quarterback. In 2001 with Bledsoe injured, Brady got his starting position. This isn’t someone who has been the star his whole life. He clearly has worked tirelessly to get where he wanted to be.

It’s been mostly glory since his big break, except the devastating 2008 season when Brady tore his ACL in the first quarter of the first game of the season. Yet, Brady hasn’t let us down, and came back strong this season. Yes, there have been some bumps, especially recently, but lets not forget everything he’s done for us over the years. Not to mention, as far as we know, he’s not a complete jerk like Tiger. How could he cheat anyway, he’s married to arguably one of the hottest women in the world.

So, when he throws an interception and we find ourselves cursing our hero, remember how lucky we’ve been over the last decade. Not even just at Pats fans, but as Boston fans. We’ve been blessed.

Here’s to Tom Brady, undoubtedly Boston’s athlete of the decade.

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