Tom Brady, the most successful quarterback in NFL history, announced his retirement from the sport he has dominated for years on Wednesday.
“I know the procedure was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just push record and let you guys know first,” Brady said in a video posted on Twitter.
“I won’t ramble on for too long. You only get one extremely emotional retirement essay, and I used mine last year, so I’d like to thank everyone for their help.”
Brady was known for his unwavering commitment to winning, and it wasn’t until his final season that there were signs that his abilities were waning, but even then, he threw for 4,694 yards, ranking third in the NFL.
It was Brady’s first losing season as a starter, and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers barely made the playoffs because the other NFC South teams were much worse. The Dallas Cowboys easily defeated them in the first round of the playoffs.
Brady’s list of accomplishments is nearly as long as his career. He has the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history, with six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In addition, he holds the NFL record for passing yards and touchdowns (649 total) (89,214).
Other lesser-known facts about Brady include the following: no other quarterback has played in a Super Bowl after the age of 40; he did so three times, winning two of them; he has appeared in roughly one-fifth of all Super Bowls; and he has won 35 playoff games.
Brady said in the video, “My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors – I could go on forever, there are too many.”
“Thank you for allowing me to live my absolute dream. Nothing would be changed. I adore every one of you.”
Brady has said his goodbyes before. He announced his official retirement one year ago today. Forty days later, citing “unfinished business,” he rejoined the Buccaneers. However, injuries weakened Tampa, and Brady’s final season fizzled as he appeared to be dealing with off-field issues.
Brady was significantly underappreciated when he first graduated from college. In the 2000 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Brady after selecting 198 players, six of whom were quarterbacks. Brady introduced himself by saying, “I’m Tom Brady, and I’m the best decision this organization has ever made,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft later recalled.
Brady was spot on. He started as Drew Bledsoe’s backup quarterback in New England before gradually working his way up. Brady took over after Bledsoe was injured early in the 2001 season and never looked back. He won three NFL MVP awards, seven Super Bowl titles, and nearly every meaningful quarterback record in league history.
“I think I’ve been on the record dozens of times saying there’s no quarterback I’d rather have than Tom Brady, and I still feel that way,” Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots team under which Brady won six championships, said in 2021.
“Tom was as good a quarterback as any coach could hope for, and I was extremely fortunate to have him as a player,” the coach said.
Brady received tributes from his teammates on Wednesday.
“The greatest of all time. There is no disagreement.” JJ Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, said it was an honor and a privilege on Twitter.
Former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter praised Brady for his “unbelievable career” in the same way he dominated the NFL. “It was entertaining to watch.”
Brady will most likely now concentrate on his lucrative off-field endeavors. He has businesses in fashion and fitness, and he recently signed a 10-year broadcasting contract with Fox Sports. According to The New York Post, Brady’s $375 million contract is more expensive than the $332 million he received as an NFL player.
