Tom Brady's Legend Grows as Bucs QB Played With Fully Torn MCL in 2020 Super Bowl Season

(Photo : Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9.

The legend of Tom Brady grew even further on Thursday after the NFL Network and Tampa Bay Times reported that the seven-time Super Bowl champion played the entire 2020 season with a fully torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.

This stunning revelation puts his accomplishments with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an even higher level. Brady shocked the sporting world in March 2020 when he decided to leave New England after 20 years for Tampa Bay, inking a two-year $50 million deal with the Florida-based franchise.

Brady wins Super Bowl even with a fully torn MCL in his left knee

Brady went on to deliver one of the best performances in NFL history, capturing a record seventh Super Bowl title with the Bucs as he turned the league's laughing stock into champions in just his first season with the franchise.

He posted one of the best statistical seasons of his career, throwing for 4,633 passing yards and 40 touchdowns as he led the Buccaneers to the playoffs with an 11-5 regular-season record. Brady cemented his legacy in the postseason, leading the Bucs to critical road playoff wins over the Washington Football Team, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers before beating the Kansas City Chiefs at home in Super Bowl 55.

In his record 10th Super Bowl appearance, Brady, at the age of 43, became the oldest player to win a Super Bowl title. He managed to accomplish that feat in a pandemic season, and now it appears with a major knee injury.

Brady's knee injury more serious than previously thought

The media first got wind of the injury back in February when Brady underwent knee surgery after the Super Bowl win. Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians described Brady's procedure at that time as a "clean-up."

Boston Globe's Ben Volin begged to differ, reporting that Brady's surgery was more than just a little cleanup. When Brady finally talked to reporters during the Bucs' mini-camp in June, the future Hall of Famer remained tight-lipped about the nature of the injury. Still, he did confirm that he knew surgery would be needed after the season.

From @NFLTotalAccess: #Bucs QB Tom Brady played the Super Bowl with a fully torn MCL because... 🐐 pic.twitter.com/8GpDkjMtlR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2021

More details are emerging now about Brady's injury that further enhances his greatness and toughness. Brady initially got the MCL injury in his final season with the Patriots, and it got worse during his first season with the Bucs.

That didn't stop Brady from performing at a high level, as he started all 16 regular-season games and four more playoff games with Tampa Bay. Brady never appeared on Tampa Bay's injury report due to the problem the entire season despite saying every week that he was tending to his knee.

A healthy Tom Brady will be a major problem for his NFL rivals this coming 2021 NFL season. Brady just signed a one-year contract extension with the Buccaneers and will be looking to win a record eighth Super Bowl title next year.