Nearly sixteen years ago to the date, a much younger version of myself traced a homemade poster of Tom Brady ahead of Super Bowl XXXIX.

Behind the colored pencil shavings and oak tag paper stood a Waldo County elementary schooler’s proud accomplishment.

Further south in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the local NFL franchise was preparing for an accomplishment of their own.

The New England Patriots were set to play the Philadelphia Eagles and could capture their third Super Bowl title in four seasons. A few days later they did just that, led by Brady at quarterback.

It was the first time in NFL history that a team had done so.

As late Patriots broadcaster Gil Santos famously said, “YES, it is a dynasty!”

By game’s end, Brady had quickly become the most successful athlete in sports. He had also become the favorite athlete of many kids like me across New England as the new century began.

Over the next decade-and-a-half, the ups and downs of Brady’s Patriots career continued to take center stage for local fans of all ages.

From heartbreaks against the New York Giants to triumphs like the 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, Patriots fans in Maine and across the country were treated to nine Super Bowl trips with Tom Brady at quarterback.

There was no way else to put it but to say it was incredible.

But in March 2020, like many other things, that all changed.

Brady left the Patriots as a free agent and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The “divorce” with legendary coach Bill Belichick was nothing short of a soap opera. Nonetheless, it was a sad day across New England.

Fast forward to the present and Tom Terrific has found himself in a similar situation.

This coming Sunday he prepares to lead the Buccaneers into Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. It is the fourteenth time in his career that he has the chance to play in such a game.

Some Patriots fans may feel apprehensive about rooting for Brady’s team this weekend.

After all, the Patriots are sitting at home this weekend while their former quarterback is still standing, albeit with a chance to play on the highest stage for the tenth time.

I would argue, however, it is more than acceptable to root for Brady and the Buccaneers this weekend.

For starters, and simply put, this player led us fans to six championship celebrations and is often considered the best player of all time. No matter what happens during the rest of his career, he will likely be known as a New England Patriot well after his career ends.

He gave us fans joy for twenty years and we should appreciate that.

Brady’s success this weekend would also be a testament to his raw ability and leadership.

Throughout his career as a Patriot, some critics would refer to him as a “system QB,” which essentially meant that Brady’s success was reliant on Belichick as a coach and the franchise at-large rather than his own attributes.

But in fact, Brady was able to not only compliment the performance of his teammates, but also elevate them like a coach would. When combined with his natural talent of reading defenses and throwing the football, this became a steadfast element to sustaining the dynasty.

For Tampa Bay, Brady has the chance to do the same thing with another franchise, though it won't diminish the legacy of the Patriots dominance.

Rather, it will show that the team’s success was not simply a result of playing in a poor division or stretching the rules, but because they truly had the best competitor of all time in their midst.

Lastly, a win against Green Bay, and potentially another Super Bowl championship, would likewise further silence any notion that Brady had easy competition when competing for a title.

Should the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl, Tom Brady would have helped eliminate three of his most talented peers.

He has already beaten Drew Brees’ New Orleans Saints and has the opportunity to beat Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers. If Brady does that, he could square off with former conference rival Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Overcoming such a difficult path may be the best accomplishment of his career if he’s able to do so. Then yours truly would need to draw a new poster.

Until then though, get ready to watch some of the best TV has to offer, and do not worry about feeling guilty if you find yourself rooting for Tom.

William “Will” Hyland is a Midcoast native and a 2015 graduate of Belfast Area High School. After attending Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire, he now resides in Southern Maine. To read more of his work, follow him on Twitter @willhyland.