NFL superstar Brady announces 'retiring for good'

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 31, 2023, NFL star Tom Brady arrives for the Los Angeles premiere screening of ’80 For Brady’ at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles. Brady announced his retirement on February 1, 2023 at the age of 45 after a checkered career that included a record-breaking seventh Super Bowl win in 2021 and a temporary retirement last year. “I’ll get straight to the point: I’m finally retiring,” Brady said in a social media video. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)

MIAMI, U.S. — Record-breaking NFL quarterback Tom Brady announced Wednesday that he was “retiring forever” at the age of 45, a year after reversing his decision to quit the sport.

Brady, whose Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs last month, ended his 23-year career in a social media video.

“Good morning, I’ll get straight to the point: I’m finally retiring,” Brady said while sitting on a beach.

Widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady won a record seven Super Bowls, six of them with the New England Patriots, before adding his most recent triumph with Tampa at the end of the 2020 season.

The quarterback had announced he would be retiring on February 1, 2022, but changed his mind 40 days later and said he would be returning for another season with the Bucs.

“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning I thought I’d just hit record and let you guys know first. So I won’t be long winded,” he added.

“I think you only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year. So, really, thank you so much to every single one of you who support me.

“My family, my friends, teammates, my competitors, I could go on forever, there are too many. Thanks guys for letting me live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change anything. I love you all,” he said.

Brady was slated to enter free agency, and the rumor mill had already started when multiple teams were linked to the veteran, who threw for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns in the 2022 regular season.

The Californian leaves the game with a multitude of NFL records.

He is the league’s all-time regular-season leader in passing attempts (12,050), completions (7,753), passing yards (89,214), and touchdown passes (649). He also owns all those postseason records.

Brady won 251 regular season games and 35 playoff games, more than any other player in league history.

unshakable

Under trainer Bill Belichick in New England, Brady became a specialist in orchestrating comeback wins with his trademark game-winning drives.

Unwavering under pressure, he had the most game-winning drives (58) and fourth-quarter comeback wins (46) of any NFL quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who will face the Philadelphia Eagles in this year’s Super Bowl, responded to Brady’s announcement by posting an emoji of a goat – expressing his view that Brady is the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) was.

JJ Watt, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who recently announced his retirement, echoed that sentiment.

“Greatest of all time. No question, no debate,” Watt tweeted.

“It was an honor and a privilege.

“PS – The newly retired group meets at the golf course at 10am every morning. Drinks are on the go so bring your wallet.”

Brady’s fame transcended the NFL — in November he and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen announced they were divorcing after 13 years of marriage.

The divorce comes after months of tabloid speculation about the couple’s marriage, which was reportedly strained when Brady reversed his retirement decision.

Bundchen responded to Brady’s announcement on Instagram, writing, “Wishing you only wonderful things in this new chapter of your life.”

Sports greats beyond football also took notice, as tennis legend Serena Williams noted on Instagram: “I get tears in my eyes just seeing this. sad to see you go Welcome to the retirement world… One more time.”

Brady is expected to pursue a career in broadcasting, having already inked a ten-year deal with Fox television worth $375 million to work as a commentator after retiring from football.

In an interview with Variety magazine in July, he said he was excited to take on the new role.

“I have a very unique perspective on football and how it should be played and what good games look like and what bad games look like,” he said.

“I feel like I can still have a huge impact on the game. I could stay in the game, do what I love to do and talk about this incredible sport.”

RELATED STORIES: NFL: Tom Brady is non-binding on the future after season-ending loss NFL: Tom Brady announces his retirement after a record-breaking career

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription was successful.

Do not miss any news and information.

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, hear the news, download as early as 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896-6000.