Tom Brady announced his retirement from the National Football League on Feb. 1.

Selected 199th overall by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the San Mateo native will be remembered as the NFL's all-time greatest quarterback.

Greg Magni, Central Valley High School's athletic director, enjoyed watching his former teammate reach unprecedented heights during his 22-year professional career on the gridiron.

Magni played baseball with Brady 27 years ago at Serra High School in San Mateo.

“To see someone from the same hometown flourish the way he did has been fun to watch,” Magni said. “It’s hard to put into perspective. Everyone knows the story. He barely got drafted. He was driven to be great. He was able to get the most out of his abilities. He really focused on nutrition and training. He wanted to get better every year. It’s a good lesson for kids.”

Brady, 44, retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and quarterback wins.

He captured his record seventh Super Bowl title at the age of 43 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset the reigning-champion Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in February of 2021.

He was voted Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time in his career.

Brady completed 21 of 29 passes for 201 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions versus the Chiefs. He was sacked just one time.

Brady made his NFL record 10th Super Bowl appearance.

He improved his all-time record to 7-3. 

He won his first six titles with the Patriots.

Brady led the NFL in passing yardage (5,316) and touchdowns (43) during his final season with Tampa Bay.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see anything like this again,” Magni said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Magni graduated from Serra High School in 1996.

Magni was a junior when he teamed up with Brady (class of 1995) for three weeks.

He was promoted to varsity after compiling an 8-1 record for the JV team.

Magni was a pitcher.

Brady was a catcher.

“Attitude-wise, he didn’t act like he was better than anyone else,” Magni said. “He was a strong leader and everyone respected him.”

Magni and Brady shared the same social circle as well.

“He was a fun guy to be around,” Magni said. “He was a normal kid.”

Magni didn’t keep in touch with Brady when he joined the professional ranks.

He rooted from afar for Brady except when he played against the San Francisco 49ers.

Magni played at the varsity level full-time during his senior year. Serra, which ranked fifth in the nation at the beginning of the season, finished second in league and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

More than 60 Serra alumni have signed professional baseball contracts. Around 10 made it to the Major Leagues, including Barry Bonds.

The Montreal Expos selected Brady in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft.

Brady played college football for the University of Michigan from 1995-99.

“Obviously, he made the right decision,” Magni said. “He could have played baseball.”