Before he was a legendary NFL quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Tom Brady was merely a guy having to prove himself as a member of the Michigan Wolverines.

Brady made a name for himself at Michigan, winning quarterback competitions with two-sport sensation Drew Henson and leading the Wolverines to an Orange Bowl victory in 2000.

Michigan's football program has not forgotten about its top alumnus.

The Wolverines sent Brady a Christmas package including a pullover with the No. 10 he wore while starting under center at Michigan. Brady posted the gift to his Instagram story.

 

                 

 

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In many ways, Brady's battles with the Wolverines set the tone for his NFL journey.

Former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr constantly demanded more of Brady and even attempted to split the starting quarterback spot with Henson. Of course, Brady eventually won the job outright, but he still had to scratch and claw to earn that title.

Naturally, the same thing happened when Brady was selected by the New England Patriots.

Brady was taken in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He was at the end of the Pats' depth chart in his first season, but had earned the backup spot heading into 2001. The rest, as they say, is history.

Former Pats starter Drew Bledsoe was injured early in the 2001 campaign, resulting in Brady taking over as the starter. He never looked back, winning six Super Bowl titles and cementing his place as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Tom Brady is trying to add to his legacy with the Bucs. But the Wolverines will never let him forget where it all started.