Patriots Legend Tom Brady Announces Retirement

Let's hope this isn't the "GOAT Who Cried Wolf."

The greatest to ever do it is calling it a career … and this time, it’s “for good.” 

Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, capping a two-plus decade long career considered by many to be the greatest ever enjoyed by a football player.

Brady played 23 seasons in the NFL, 20 of which came as a member of the Patriots under coach Bill Belichick. After a brief 40-day flirtation with retirement last offseason, Brady decided to return for what would be his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. He and the Buccaneers were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in their Wild Card round showdown his last in the NFL. 

“I’m retiring. For good. I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first,” Brady said in a video published via Twitter.

“I won’t be long winded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year. So, I really thank you guys so much, to single one of you for supporting me. My family, my friends, teammates, my competitors. I could go on forever, there’s too many. Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. Love you all.”

Brady entered the NFL as the 199th overall selection by the Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Michigan product ascended to the starting position in his second year with the team, in the aftermath of a devastating injury to then-starter Drew Bledsoe. In his first year as a starter, Brady led the Patriots to their first ever championship. He would go on to win five additional titles in New England, with his last coming as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

Brady’s place among the top of the pantheon of NFL greats has been firmly established. As such, he finishes his illustrious career with regular season totals of 12,050 pass attempts for 7,753 completions (64.3 percent), 89,214 passing yards, 649 touchdowns and 212 interceptions. 

And that’s just the regular season. 

Brady also dominated the postseason, where he has compiled a record of 35-13, as well as a quarterback rating of 89.8. He completed 62.5 percent of his postseason passes for 13,400 yards, 88 passing touchdowns and 40 interceptions. Brady won seven of the ten Super Bowls in which he played, earning the big game’s MVP five times. 

Despite being engulfed by a sea of envy in most of the country, he is still largely adored in New England; firmly entrenched among the immortal beloveds of New England sports. In fact, he might be the most admired sports figure in the history of a city that has been the home to such icons as Ted Williams, Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, and Bill Russell. 

Visions of game-winning drives, improbable comebacks and championship parades are forever a part of the region’s generational memory bank. Prior to his taking the reins as the Patriots starting quarterback in 2001, New England knew little but defeat. Since that time, they have enjoyed unparalleled success. 

Though he may have temporarily taken his talents to Tampa Bay, Tom Brady will forever be a Patriot in the eyes of many.

Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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