Tom Brady’s retirement announcement today stunned the NFL world.
The morning after his appearance at the 80 for Brady The film’s premier, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots legend, announced his retirement in a simple but emotional video posted on social media.
Tom Brady will be HOF eligible one year after Ben Roethlisberger, who also announced his retirement after 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers a year ago.
The Hall requires a player to have been retired for at least five years before he can be considered. With Brady’s FINAL retirement today, February 1, 2023, it will be 2028 in five years.
Tom Brady was more likely to take his team to the championship game (70%) than any QB to complete a pass.
He is the best QB in NFL history, two times.
Brady has the most touchdowns, yards, wins, total MVPs and Super Bowl in history
A hall of famer stranded on the first ballot (as Barry Bonds should have been), Tom Brady will be eligible for the NFL Hall of Fame in the summer of 2028.
I think Tom deserves a lot of credit for knowing when his run was over and pulling the trigger.
Sure, Twitter will be flooded with over a million keyboard warriors saying « I would have played for another year just for the X million dollars it could have made for another year – must be nice not needing that money! »
It’s easy to forget that these public icons are people, too. Just think how exhausting it is to travel across the country, sleep in random hotel beds, eat random food in random places, while essentially being a voice on the other end of the phone with friends, family, and loved ones. Must be EXHAUSTED.
Tom Brady has won more Super Bowl rings than any player in NFL history after winning a seventh championship in Super Bowl 55.
Among Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Brady has nearly twice as many rings as his next closest competitors.
Joe Montana has four. Terry Bradshaw also has four.
Tom Brady was the first player to:
– Win an NFL championship in 3 different decades
– Start & win a Super Bowl for a team in both conferences
– Win more titles after turning 40
Some crazier stats from Tom Brady:
- Most touchdown passes in NFL history
- Only quarterback with 600 career touchdown passes in the regular season
- Most passing yards in NFL history
- Most regular season wins in NFL history
- Most playoff wins in NFL history (35)
- Thirty-five career playoff wins is 19 more than any other QB (Joe Montana was second with 16)
- Most Super Bowl appearances (10) and wins (seven) in NFL history
- Five-time Super Bowl MVP, most in NFL history
- All-time playoff leader in touchdown passes, passing yards, and completions
- Fifteen Pro Bowl selections, the most in NFL history
With Brady announcing his retirement today and Ben Roethliesberger announcing his retirement a year ago, what if Aaron Rodgers follows suit? And, just two years after Drew Brees’ retirement, the NFL is at a pivotal moment for a changing of the guard for the league’s kingpins.
Is it possible that the NFL could go from a « QB-led league » to something else REALLY fast?
With the success of Patrick Mahomes and Jaylen Hurts, perhaps nothing changes at all.
Tom Brady’s initial retirement statement on Instagram in 2022:
“I’ve always believed that the sport of soccer is an all-in proposition: if there isn’t a 100% competitive commitment, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game. There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my fullest potential. And I’ve done my best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success in the field or in life.
It’s hard for me to write, but there you have it: I won’t be making that competitive commitment again. I loved my NFL career and now it’s time to focus my time and energy on other things that need my attention.
I’ve been thinking a lot this past week and asking myself tough questions. And I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved. My teammates, coaches, competitors and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now I best leave the playing field to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.
To my Bucs teammates over the last couple of years, I love you guys and loved battling with you guys. You dug so deep to challenge yourself and it inspired me to wake up every day and give you the best. I’m always here for you guys and I want to see you keep pushing yourself to be at your best. I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve accomplished together.
To all Bucs fans, thank you. I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived here, but your support and embrace have enriched my life and that of my family. I was honored to play to such a passionate and entertaining fan base. What a Krewe!!!
To the City of Tampa and all of Tampa-St. St. Petersburg Region, thank you. It was wonderful to be a resident of such a fun place to live. I want to be invited to our next boat parade!
To the Glazer family, thank you for giving me a chance and supporting me. I know I was picky at times but you provided everything we needed to win and your ownership was all a player could ask for.
To Jason Licht, thank you for your daily support and friendship – I’ll never forget it. I had never been through free will and had some trepidation about how we were going to achieve success. Your leadership has given me confidence and I will always be grateful to you.
To my head coach, Bruce Arians, thank you for putting up with me! Your firm leadership and guidance was ideal. We could not have succeeded without your experience, insight and wisdom. I’m very grateful.
To all Bucs coaches, my sincere thanks for all the hard work, dedication and discipline required to build a winning team. I have learned so much from all of you and will cherish the relationships we have.
To every single staff member and employee of Bucs, thank you. Each of you is of paramount importance and every day I was greeted with a smile. This means a lot to me. Your job is made up of long hours and difficult tasks, but please know that I see each and every one of you. A thousand thanks.
To Alex Guerrero, thank you. I could never have done every Sunday without you; It’s that simple. Your dedication to your craft and our friendship and brotherhood are immeasurable. We have an unbreakable bond and I love you.
To Don Yee and Steve Dubin, thank you. You have been with me every step of the way since leaving the University of Michigan and before entering the league. What a trip it has been and I couldn’t do it without you.
To my parents and entire family (and extended family of countless friends), I love you and thank you for your endless support and love. I could never have imagined the time and energy you have dedicated to me over the past 30 years in football. I can never repay you. And just know that I love you so much.
And finally to my wife Gisele and my children Jack, Benny and Vivi. You are my inspiration. Our family is my greatest success. I have always walked off the field and come home to the most loving and supportive wife who has done EVERYTHING for our family to allow me to focus on my career. Her selflessness has allowed me to reach new heights professionally and I am beyond words about what she means to me and our family. Te amo amor da minha vida.
My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, far beyond my imagination and full of ups and downs. When you’re in it every day, you really don’t think about any kind of ending. As I sit here now, however, I think of all the great players and coaches I’ve had the privilege of playing with and against – the competition has been fierce and deep, JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT. But friendships and relationships are just as fierce and deep. I will remember and cherish these memories and revisit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.
The future is exciting. I’m fortunate to have cofounded incredible companies like @autograph.io @bradybrand @tb12sports that I’m excited to continue to help build and grow, but exactly what my day will look like will be a work-in-progress. As I said before, I will take it day by day. I know for a fact that I want to spend a lot of time giving to others and trying to enrich other people’s lives, just like so many have done for me.
With much love, appreciation and gratitude,
Tom“
