Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
On social media, the 44-year-old, probably the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, announced the news.
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition — if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game,” he said.
“There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. This is difficult for me to write. But here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore.
“I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved.
“My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me. But right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
Brady recently completed his 22nd NFL season, his second with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady has won seven Super Bowl championships in his 22-year career. Six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retires as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (84,520), touchdown passes (624), completions (7,263), regular-season wins (243), playoff wins (35) and Super Bowl MVPs (five). He has also played and won more regular-season games than any other quarterback in his career.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington, The Boston Globe, reported over the weekend that Brady was retiring, citing anonymous sources.
But on Sunday, a source familiar with the situation told CNN that “Brady contacted (Tampa Bay) Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht (on Saturday) to inform him he has yet to make a final decision about his future.”
Brady confirmed the news on Tuesday after claiming on Monday that he hadn’t made up his mind about retiring.
He praised his Bucs teammates, coaching staff, family, and agents in his announcement.
“My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far beyond my imagination, and full of ups and downs,” Brady continued. “When you’re in it every day, you really don’t think about any kind of ending.
“As I sit here now, however, I think of all the great players and coaches I was privileged to play with and against; The competition was fierce and deep, JUST HOW WE LIKE IT. But the friendships and relationships are just as fierce and deep. I will remember and cherish these memories and re-visit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”
The Bucs thanked Brady for the part he played with the team on Twitter. Thereby, saying: “Forever a part of Buccaneers history. Thank you for everything, Tom Brady.”
“The future is exciting,” Tom Brady said.
He added: “Exactly what my days will look like will be a work-in-progress. As I said earlier, I am going to take it day by day. I know for sure I want to spend a lot of time giving to others and trying to enrich other people’s lives, just as so many have done for me.”
Gisele Bundchen congratulated her husband on Instagram with the following message:
“What a ride @tombrady! So many memories! When I met you over 15 years ago, I didn’t know the first thing about football.” she wrote.
“But cheering for you and seeing you do what you love most made me learn about this wonderful game to the point that I seriously believed I knew more than the referees! We always had a special champions playlist for every drive on our way to the game. As a family, we always prayed for you, celebrated and supported you in every game, cheered every win, and suffered from every loss.”
She added, “I’m so proud of you, and of everything you have had to overcome physically and emotionally over the years.”
