NFL’s G.O.A.T. Tom Brady Retires “for Good“ After 23 Pro Seasons

Earlier last week, Tom Brady, the storied quarterback who solidified his standing amid men’s American football’s greatest of all time, declared his second withdrawal from the NFL.

In a video on his Instagram profile, an emotional Brady, 45, asserted that he was this time quitting “for good“, in contrast to the 40-day period last year when he decided to retire and afterward unretire: “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 Brings to End One of Most Illustrious Careers in Sports History Overall

Brady’s decision brings to an end one of the most prosperous and illustrious careers in the league, as well as sports history overall. He leaves the NFL with a long list of accomplishments and honors, including 14 Pro Bowl picks, five Super Bowl MVP honors, and seven Super Bowl victories.

After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ setback to the Dallas Cowboys on January 15, by which the latter team justified the role of the favorites on the top bookmakers on the Internet for NFL wagering and which ousted the Buccaneers from the playoffs, speculation grew as to where Brady would play next. Prior to his announcement, teams like the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders were named as prospective landing spots for Brady.

Brady was among the NFL’s most effective quarterbacks for the entire 2022 season, despite his advanced age. For the second year in a row, he led the Buccaneers to the playoffs while throwing for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, Tampa Bay’s 9-8 record in 2022 made it one of the poorest seasons for a Brady-led squad in the 22 seasons of his NFL career.

Bledsoe’s Injury Launched Brady to the Stars

Brady was chosen by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Brady initially served as starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s backup, but when Bledsoe suffered an injury in the second game of the 2002 campaign, Brady took over.

The subsequent Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and the then-St. Louis Rams marked his first title triumph with the team. Before making the unexpected news in 2020 that he would join the Buccaneers, he would then go on to win five more Super Bowls with the team.

The year 2020 saw Brady win his seventh Super Bowl ring with the Florida squad and earn his fifth MVP award. At age 43, he won the Super Bowl as the starting QB, making him the oldest player to ever receive either honor.

At the beginning of 2022, Brady famously declared his first retirement before changing his mind around two months later. A breach between him and his long-term wife, Gisele Bündchen, was rumored to exist months after his return. After 13 years of marriage, the two formalized their divorce in October.