Tom Brady retires: Here are 10 of the most memorable Dolphins moments

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tom Brady retired again Feb. 1, 2023 after coming back to play one more season. This story was originally published after his first retirement announcement Feb. 1 , 2022.

Tom Brady confirmed his retirement Tuesday, starting the five-year clock before he enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For Dolphins players, every opportunity to line up against Brady has been a special occasion. Brady faced Miami in 36 games — the most of any player to line up vs. the Dolphins — and won 24 times.

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Here are 10 of the more memorable days in which he faced Miami:

Oct. 7, 2001: The start of a beautiful rivalry

The game marks Brady’s first career start vs. the Dolphins. The week before the game, Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt criticizes his defensive line. Jason Taylor, having just signed a six-year, $42 million contract, responds by returning a botched snap to Tom Brady 1 yard for a TD. He also has a sack in Miami’s 30-10 win. "I make $42 million and we're 3-1, so I could care less," Taylor said of Wannstedt’s criticism. "People are going to be quick to point fingers when things go wrong, but I've got broad shoulders and I can take it. Now we won the game, put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, so we'd get votes for mayor."

Oct. 19, 2003: Quick 82-yard strike to win in OT

Patriots beat Dolphins 19-13 in overtime as Tyrone Poole intercepts Jay Fiedler, giving New England the ball on its 18-yard line. On the next play, Brady hits Troy Brown with an 82-yard touchdown pass. "We had a chance to win throughout, and we let them hang around," Taylor says. "We could have and should have put the game away. It should have been over in regulation.”

Dec. 20, 2004: Even Brady has occasional bad day

The Dolphins intercept Brady four times in a 29-28 win after trailing 28-17 with four minutes left. Only five other times in Brady’s career is he intercepted four times in a game. The clinching INT is by Arturo Freeman with 58 seconds left. “I know Tom would want that one back, but he can't have it now,” Taylor says.

Oct. 21, 2007: A six-pack of TDs

Brady lights up Miami for six touchdown passes, the most the Dolphins have ever conceded in one game. Brady has five TDs at halftime in what ends up as a 49-28 New England win. “It’s a pretty helpless feeling,” cornerback Andre Goodman says. Brady finishes 21 of 25 for 354 yards and a perfect 158.3 passer rating, which he accomplishes only two other times in his career.

Sept. 12, 2011: Torching Miami’s D for 517 yards

Brady piles up the most passing yards against a Miami defense ever — 517 — going 32 of 48 in New England’s 38-24 victory. “Tom Brady — Tom Brady,” cornerback Benny Sapp says. “He can do it with anybody.”

Sept. 12, 2011: Oh yeah, a big 99-yard TD to Wes Welker

Included in this six-TD game is a scoring throw to Wes Welker. Distance: 99 yards. “I only threw it 25 yards,” Brady says. “Wes did all the work. When I saw him break away that was awesome."

Dec. 15, 2013: The Michael Thomas game

Signed off the 49ers’ practice squad five days prior, safety Michael Thomas seals Miami’s first win over New England since December 2009 when he intercepts Brady in the end zone with two seconds remaining of a 24-20 win. Thomas does this even though some teammates haven’t yet learned his name, instead yelling instructions to “31” between plays. “You know, I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life,” a tearful Thomas says. (Thomas, who was named AFC defensive player of the week, is now headed to the Super Bowl as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.)

Nov. 26, 2017: Four TDs to overcome fumble nicely

Safety Reshad Jones recovers a Brady fumble and returns it 14 yards for a TD. New England still wins 35-17 as Brady throws four TD passes. This is the afternoon in which Bill Belichick calls a fake punt on his 27-yard line 58 seconds into the game. "So 9-2 and just keep grinding," Brady says. "Isn't it fun?"

Dec. 11, 2017: Xavien Howard does the double

Xavien Howard becomes the first player to get two interceptions against Brady in one game since 2017, helping Miami win 27-20. Does Howard leave Hard Rock Stadium with the footballs? "Oh yeah,” he says. “Both of them."

Oct. 10, 2021: One last time

Brady throws for at least 400 yards and five touchdowns for the only time as Tampa Bay rolls to a 45-17 victory. Brady goes 30 of 41 for 411 yards before leaving the game early because his work was finished. “He reads coverages real nice,” defensive tackle Raekwon Davis says.

Dolphins opponent records held by Tom Brady

Most games played: 36

Most passing yards: 8,596

Most passing yards in a game: 517 on Sept. 12, 2011 (32 of 48)

Most pass attempts: 1,170

Most completions: 717

Most TD passes: 72

Most TD passes in a game: 6 on Oct. 21, 2007

Most 300-yard games: 9

Longest pass play: 99 yards to Wes Welker on Sept. 12, 2011

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tom Brady retires: 10 career highs and lows vs. Miami Dolphins