Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is the 2021 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. He began the year by leading the Buccaneers to a victory in Super Bowl LV, his record seventh championship and the first for the franchise since the 2002 campaign. Now in his second season with Tampa Bay and 22nd in the league, the 44-year-old Brady currently leads the NFL in passing yards, completions, attempts, and touchdowns and has the Buccaneers (9–3) in contention for a repeat. It is the second time that SI has recognized Brady, who was named the 2005 Sportsman of the Year.