Former Michigan Athlete of the Year: Tom Brady

Tom Brady had a great season in 2010

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a superb season in 2010, and I think he's reached a point where the media kind of ignore his statistical awesomeness.  Brady finished the season 324-for-492 (65.9%) with 3,900 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions.  His quarterback rating of 111.0 is the fifth-highest rating of all time, behind the likes of Peyton Manning, Steve Young, Joe Montana . . . and the 2007 version of himself.  It was so good, in fact, that he's the first player to win the NFL MVP by a unanimous vote.

Runner-up: Charles Woodson, the Green Bay Packers cornerback, finished the regular season with 92 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), 13 passes broken up, and 2 sacks.  And his Packers just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, 31-25.

Second runner-up: Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley ended his regular season with 50 tackles, 10 sacks, 2 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), 5 passes broken up, 3 fumbles forced, and 2 fumbles recovered.  His Steelers lost to the Packers in the Super Bowl, 25-31.