Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, Tom Brady, on Tuesday announced his retirement from Nation Football League. The 44-year-old man confirmed that he made the decision after talking to the family.
“My career as a player has been exciting and far beyond my imagination, full of ups and downs.” Brady said.
“When you’re at it day and night you don’t really think about any kind of ending. As I sit here, though, I think of the greatest players and managers I’ve had the privilege of playing with and against.” Brady added.
Brady widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, won seven Lombardi trophies, the most championships won by a single player, along with five Super Bowl MVPs.
“The competition was tough and deep, just the way we like it. But friendships and relationships are equally strong and deep.” Brady said.
“I will remember and celebrate those memories and revisit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world,” he added.
Brady is under contract with the Buccaneers through the 2022 season, but the team would get back $16 million of his signing bonus should he retire.
“To my Bucs teammates the past two years, I love you guys, and I have loved going to battle with you,” Brady said.
“You have dug so deep to challenge yourself, and it inspired me to wake up every day and give you my best.
“I am always here for you guys and want to see you continue to push yourselves to be your best. I couldn’t be happier with what we accomplished together.” Brady added.
In Brady’s final season in the NFL in 2021, the quarterback led the NFL in passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43).
His final game was a 30-27 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round in which Brady nearly clawed his team back after trailing 27-3 midway through the third quarter.