Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is retiring after 22 seasons in the NFL. His was a Hall of Fame career in which he won seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVPs, and three League MVPs. He played 20 seasons for the New England Patriots and was a central contributor to the dynasty from 2001 to 2019. In 2020, he left in free agency and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title. Brady is retiring as the most decorated quarterback of all time.
In his retirement post on Instagram, Brady wrote, “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 thanked his teammates in Tampa Bay, the city of Tampa-St. Petersburg, and many other coaches and staff close to him in Tampa Bay, including his family. He concluded by stating he hopes to give back and “enrich other people’s lives.”
Tom Brady is Retiring After 22 Seasons in the NFL
Tom Brady officially retires. Among his posts… pic.twitter.com/o9GqgRKsoO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2022
At the age of 44, Brady walks away after another MVP caliber season in which he led the league in passing yards (5316 yards) and passing touchdowns (43). He is the only quarterback in NFL history to make two all-decade teams (the 2000s and 2010s) and was unanimously named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
His final game came in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams. After trailing 27-3, halfway through the third quarter, Brady led a thrilling comeback and tied the game with less than a minute left. However, the Rams would get into field goal range and kick the game-winner.
The announcement comes sooner than expected, but Brady wanted to give the Bucs an opportunity to assess their future. Also, he did not want to upstage the playoffs before the Super Bowl match between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams was set.
Brady has said he would play through the 2022 season on multiple occasions. Before this season, he said, “hopefully, I’ll be here a long time, for many years.” His Instagram announcement this morning comes as a shock for many who believed he would play at least one more season. However, Brady has been adamant about not wanting a farewell tour, and this way, he did not get one.
The decision will have a ripple effect throughout the organization and the league. Other players, like tight end Rob Gronkowski and center Ryan Jensen, are likely to retire following the news that Brady is retiring.
Brady certainly had more football left in him if he wanted to play. However, he is a dedicated family man, and football’s demands on his family were challenging. Like a legend, he walks away, leaving his fans wanting more. It is the end of an era.
Main Image:
