Tom Brady announces his retirement from the NFL “for good” after 23 seasons | Tom Brady

Tom Brady, the most successful quarterback in NFL history, announced Wednesday that he is retiring from the sport he has dominated for years.

“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I got up this morning I thought I’d just hit record and let you guys know first,” Brady said in a Twitter video. “I won’t be long. You only get one emotional retirement essay, and I used mine last yearSo thank you guys very much to each and every one of you for supporting me.”

Brady’s relentless commitment to winning was legendary and it wasn’t until his final season that signs of his skills showed, despite him passing for 4,694 yards, the third most in the NFL. The 45-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a losing record—the first in Brady’s rookie career—and only made the playoffs because other teams in the NFC South were worse. She was easily beaten In the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys.

Brady’s list of accomplishments is nearly as long as his career. His seven Super Bowl wins – six with New England Patriots And one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – they are the most by any player in NFL history. He also holds the NFL record for career passing yards (649) and passing yards (89,214). else More mysterious stats It’s just impressive: No other quarterback has played in a Super Bowl past the age of 40—Brady has played in three, winning twice; His 35 wins are more than 13 other teams have participated in; Remarkably, he has appeared in nearly five Super Bowls ever played.

“My family, my friends, my teammates, my rivals – I could go on forever, there’s so much,” Brady said in Wednesday’s video. “Thank you guys for letting me live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love you all.”

This isn’t Brady’s first farewell. Announce at the beginning He retired exactly a year ago Before deciding to return to the Pirates after 40 days, Quoting “Unfinished Business”. However, Tampa was weakened by injuries and Brady seemed affected issues outside the field With his final season winding down.

Brady was significantly undervalued when he graduated from college. There were 198 players – six of them quarterbacks – selected ahead of Brady in 2000 NFL Draft before being selected by the New England Patriots. Patriots owner Robert Kraft later recalled that Brady introduced himself by saying, “I’m Tom Brady and I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.”

Brady was right. He started as New England’s fourth quarterback and slowly worked his way up to being Drew Bledsoe’s backup. When Bledsoe was injured early in the 2001 season, Brady took over and barely looked back. He would go on to capture seven Super Bowl titles, three NFL MVP awards and just about every major league record in league history.

“I think I’ve been setting the record dozens of times and saying there’s no better quarterback than Tom Brady, and I still feel that way,” said Bill Belichick, the coach with whom Brady won six New England titles. in 2021. “I was very fortunate to have Tom as quarterback, to coach him, and he was as good as any coach could ask for.”

Brady’s fellow athletes paid tribute to him on Wednesday.

“The greatest of all time. No doubt, no argument. It was an honor and a privilege,” three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt wrote on Twitter.

Former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter, who dominated Major League Baseball the same way Brady played in the NFL, congratulated the quarterback “on an incredible career. It was fun to watch.”

Brady is now likely to focus on his lucrative interests off the field. He owns a fashion and wellness business, and last year signed a 10-year broadcasting contract with Fox Sports. The New York Post reported the deal It has a value of $375 millionsurpassing Brady’s $332 million earned in salary during his career in the NFL.