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Tom Brady officially retires after 22-season NFL career
- Tom Brady has officially announced his retirement from the NFL.
- After 22 seasons in the league, the football icon says it is now time for him to focus his “time and energy on other things.”
- Brady holds the record of the most Super Bowls in NFL history, having an assured spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tom Brady has made the official announcement that he is retiring from the NFL.
He started off by stating his belief that “football is an ‘all-in’ proposition — if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed.” With this in mind, he has tried his best to give his “highest potential” in the past 22 years.
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” he explained. “I have loved my NFL career and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”
He added that he has decided to “leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
Brady expressed his thanks to several groups and people: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, head coach Bruce Arians, general manager Jason Licht, the fans and many others.
However, he made no mention of the New England Patriots, head coach Bill Belichick, or team owner Robert Kraft. Brady had spent 20 seasons with the Patriots, with which he won six Super Bowls. He departed from the team at the end of the 2019 season.
Brady’s retirement was speculated after the Los Angeles Rams knocked the Bucs out of the playoffs.
In the hours after the loss, he mentioned on his “Let’s Go” podcast that it pained his wife Gisele Bundchen to see him get hit on the field. He added, “She deserves what she needs from me as a husband, and my kids deserve what they need from me as a dad.”Â
Brady has two children with Bundchen and a son from a previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.
Brady holds the all-time record in passing yards, passing touchdowns, quarterback wins in both the regular and postseason, Super Bowl appearances (10), and Super Bowl victories (7). He is assured a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible for enshrinement in five years.
He is also leaving the NFL without his play dropping off as he aged.
In 2021, he was 485-of-719 passing for 5,319 yards and 43 touchdowns. He is also leading in completions, attempts, yards and TDs this season.
He will also be a four-time MVP if he wins the MVP votes, for which he is currently tied with Aaron Rodgers, Jim Brown, and Johnny Unitas at three. The only player with more MVPs is Peyton Manning with 5.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called Brady “an incredible competitor and leader,” and “one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL.” He added, “His stellar career is remarkable for its longevity but also for the sustained excellence he displayed year after year. … It has been a privilege to watch him compete and have him in the NFL.”
Source: Yahoo! Sports
