Tom Brady, one of many biggest gamers within the historical past of the NFL, has confirmed his retirement.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, 44, received seven Super Bowls in an astonishing profession spanning 22 seasons.
Brady received six titles with the New England Patriots earlier than his remaining triumph with the Buccaneers final yr.
The five-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player is retiring after deciding he might not make the “aggressive dedication” to proceed.
His remaining recreation within the NFL was a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams within the play-offs, when his heroics narrowly failed to tug off a sensational comeback from 27-3 down.
Brady, a three-time NFL season MVP, had a yr remaining on his contract with the Bucs.
In a press release posted on social media, he mentioned: “I’ve all the time believed the game of soccer is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% aggressive dedication is not there, you will not succeed, and success is what I really like a lot about our recreation.
“My taking part in profession has been such an exhilarating experience, and far past my creativeness, and filled with ups and downs. When you are in it every single day, you actually do not take into consideration any sort of ending.
“As I sit right here now, nonetheless, I consider all of the great gamers and coaches I used to be privileged to play with and in opposition to – the competitors was fierce and deep, simply how we prefer it.
“But the friendships and relationships are simply as fierce and deep. I’ll keep in mind and cherish these recollections and revisit them usually.
“I really feel just like the luckiest individual on the earth.”
Following Brady’s announcement, the Patriots tweeted: “It was fairly the experience. Thank you and congratulations, Tom Brady.”
Meanwhile the Buccaneers said: “Memories to final a lifetime. Thank you.”
Brady performed in 10 Super Bowls, together with an unbelievable comeback from 28-3 down in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, and had an ideal 16-0 common season with the Patriots in 2007.
He received a Super Bowl in three completely different many years and retires after amassing a career-high 5,316 passing yards in his remaining season.
Brady leads the all-time passing statistics, with 84,520 yards – greater than 4,000 away from his nearest rival, the retired Drew Brees.
His announcement on Tuesday comes after conflicting studies over the weekend about his future.
It was extensively reported on Saturday night that he had determined to retire, however his firm TB12 Sports then deleted a tweet showing to substantiate the information.
And later, chatting with the NFL Network, Brady’s father Tom Brady Sr mentioned his son had not yet “made a final decision”.
On Monday, the previous Patriots celebrity mentioned he was contemplating his future on a day-to-day foundation.
‘An unbelievable competitor and chief’
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned Brady can be remembered “as one of many biggest to ever play within the NFL”.
He added: “An unbelievable competitor and chief, his stellar profession is exceptional for its longevity but in addition the sustained excellence he displayed yr after yr.
“Tom made everybody round him higher and all the time appeared to rise to the event within the greatest moments.”
Two-time Super Bowl winner Peyton Manning paid tribute to his former rival, saying: “Congratulations to my pal Tom on an unbelievable soccer profession.
“To do it so long as he did, on the highest of ranges, is totally unbelievable. It was an honour and a privilege to compete in opposition to him on the sphere, and I really recognize his friendship off the sphere.
“I’ve all the time admired and revered his competitiveness, his dedication, his self-discipline, and his dedication to being the very best. I want him the very best in his subsequent chapter. Congratulations once more, pal!”
Brady’s profession in numbers
Super Bowl appearances: 10
Super Bowls received: 7 (report) – 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
Super Bowls misplaced: 3 – 2008, 2012, 2018
Super Bowl landing passes: 21 (report)
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: 5 (report) – 2002, 2004, 2015, 2017, 2021
NFL Most Valuable Player: 3 – 2007, 2010, 2017
NFL Comeback Player of the Year – 2009
Pro Bowl (all-star) alternatives: 14
NFL landing move chief: 2002, 2007, 2010, 2015
NFL passing yards chief: 2005, 2007, 2017
