There are many factors that go into sustained success over a 20-year period, but perhaps the biggest one is the players on the field/court. General Managers put teams together, coaches try to put players in the correct spots, but the players are who actually make things happen. Therefore, let’s take a look at the five players who have had the greatest impact over the past over the past 20 or so years. 
5) Rob Gronkowski
While it is definitely tough to narrow it down to just five players, I think it would be a mistake to leave Rob Gronkowski off of the list. Considered by many to be the best tight end to ever play the game, Gronk helped the Patriots get back to the top. After winning their third championship in 2004, New England did not win again until 2014. That was right in the middle of Gronk’s prime; when he was really coming into his own and separating himself from the rest of the league. He would go on to win three Super Bowls, make five pro bowls, and was selected to first-team all-pro four times. He scored 80 total touchdowns in his career, and caught 521 balls for 7,861 yards.
4)Patrice Bergeron
A player who is somewhat underrated and does not necessarily get the credit that he deserves is Patrice Bergeron. He has been with the Bruins for 16 years since his rookie season in 2003-2004 and is about as consistent as they come. With the exception of the 2007 season, he has been healthy for the entirety of his career and rarely misses games. He helped the Bruins greatly in their 2011 Stanley Cup run, and has also won the Selke Trophy four times in his career. 
3) Paul Pierce 
When you think about the Celtics, it is impossible for Paul Pierce not to come to mind. Drafted by the team in 1998, Pierce has been the heart and soul of the Celtics ever since, even after his retirement. Nicknamed, “The Truth,” he instantly made an impact on the team, averaging 16.5 points per game in his rookie season. It would take 10 years before he could bring a championship to town, but it certainly was worth the wait. He won Finals MVP as he helped defeat Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in 2008. He would go on to make 10 all-star games, four All-NBA third teams, and one All-NBA second team.
2) David Ortiz
Pierce definitely means a lot to the city of Boston, but even he could admit that David Ortiz is on a different level. “Big Papi” is widely known as one of the most clutch players in the history of sports. Anyone who is just a casual Red Sox fan has witnessed an Ortiz walk-off home run to win the game. In 2004, Ortiz played a huge role in the Red Sox 3-0 comeback against the Yankees, and went on to help the team win three World Series titles. He won World Series MVP in 2013, while also making 10 all-star games in his career. He finished his career with 541 home runs, 1,768 runs batted in, and a .286 average. 
1)Tom Brady
I’m sure it does not come as a surprise, Tom Brady is not only the best Boston athlete of the past 20 years, he might even be the best athlete in the history of sports. Brady has accomplished just about everything a player possibly can, and the crazy thing is that he still is not done. His six Super Bowl rings, four Super Bowl MVPs, and three league MVPs are truly unprecedented. He has thrown for 74,571 career yards, to go along with 541 touchdowns. There is no denying that there is somewhat a bade taste in Patriot fans’ mouths right now after his departure, but of course that will fade away with a little bit of time. Tom Brady changed this city forever, and will always hold a special place in all of our hearts.