The G.O.A.T. Hangs ‘Em Up —Tom Brady Retires

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady officially announced his retirement Tuesday, putting to rest days of speculation about his future and finally closing the book on the greatest football career of all time. 

Brady, 44, made the announcement in a lengthy post on his instagram page, writing that he did not want to make the “competitive commitment” anymore.

“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,” he wrote. “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 leaves the game as the most decorated athlete in league history. In addition to winning seven Super Bowl titles, he also won five Super Bowl MVP’s, three league MVP’s, and was selected to the Pro Bowl 15 times (a league record).

Bucs Head Coach had nothing but praise for Brady.

“Tom Joined us as the greatest football player of all time, and he quickly showed everyone in our organization what that meant,” he said. “He set a standard and helped create a culture that took our team to the mountaintop.”

Drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, not much was expected of Brady. He was forced into action when then-starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury in week two of the 2001 season against the Jets.

The rest, as has often been written, is history.

Over 22 seasons with the Pats and Bucs, Brady compiled a 243-73 record (35-12 in the playoffs). In 318 games, he threw for 84,520 yards (an NFL record) , 624 touchdowns (also an NFL record), and a had a 64.2% completion percentage.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement thanking Brady for his time in New England.

“Words cannot describe the feelings I have for Tom Brady, nor adequately express the gratitude my family, the New England Patriots and our fans have for Tom for all he did during his career,” he wrote in part. “You didn’t have to be a Patriots fan to respect and appreciate his competitiveness, determination and will to win that fueled his success. As a fan of football, it was a privilege to watch. As a Patriots fan, it was a dream come true. I have the greatest respect for Tom personally and always will. His humility, coupled with his drive and ambition, truly made him special. I will always feel a close bond to him and will always consider him an extension of my immediate family.”

While most athletes hang ‘em up a year (or two) too late, Brady might have retired too early. He finished the 2021 season playing 17 games and throwing for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns (both NFL highs), and is in prime position to win his fourth league MVP award. 

“Tom Brady will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a statement. “An incredible competition and leader, his stellar career is remarkable for its longevity but also for the sustained excellence he displayed year after year.”

With Brady now retired, 39-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Washington Commanders becomes the oldest quarterback in the league.