Update: Forty days after announcing his retirement, Tom Brady declared that he would be returning to the NFL, announcing his return over Twitter on March 13.
On January 30, 2022, Tom Brady, quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and previous New England Patriots quarterback, announced his retirement from the National Football League (NFL). The quarterback has played in ten Super Bowls, winning a record seven out of those ten, and earned five Super Bowl MVP Awards. His career records also include most touchdown passes (624) and most passing yards (84,250).
Brady had just finished his second season with Tampa after transferring from the New England Patriots, which he played with for 20 years. The Buccaneers ended on a very close game with the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl semifinals, but fell just short of competing in the Super Bowl finals.
Though he ended on a losing season, Brady knew that it was most likely his last time playing football. According to ESPN, the quarterback’s decision to leave was heavily based on his physical health and family. Though his performance this year suggested that he could have continued playing, Brady felt that it was too much of a sacrifice for him and his family.
He has previously spoken out about his wife’s desire for him to leave the NFL, saying that she suffered from every hit he took. In his official retirement statement, which he posted to Instagram, he wrote that “Her selflessness allowed me to reach new heights professionally, and I am beyond words what you mean to me and our family.”
He also thanked everyone in his inner circle, including family, teammates, and coaches. However, he failed to mention his previous New England team and coach Bill Belickick despite playing with them for most of his career.
Now that Brady won’t be playing football professionally, he says he will focus on his family and spending more time with his children. He is also expected to both star in and direct a new comedy film, featuring actors such as Sally Field, Lily Tomlin, and Rita Moreno.
