Tom Brady formally proclaims retirement after ‘thrilling trip’ with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots

ESPN- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has formally introduced his retirement from the NFL, saying Tuesday in an Instagram put up that he’s “not going to make that aggressive dedication anymore.”

“I’ve at all times believed the game of soccer is an ‘all-in’ proposition — if a 100% aggressive dedication isn’t there, you received’t succeed, and success is what I like a lot about our recreation,” Brady mentioned in his assertion on Instagram. “There’s a bodily, psychological and emotional problem EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximise my highest potential. And I’ve tried my easiest these previous 22 years. There are not any shortcuts to success on the sphere or in life.

“That is tough for me to jot down, however right here it goes: I’m not going to make that aggressive dedication anymore. I’ve liked my NFL profession, and now it’s time to focus my time and vitality on different issues that require my consideration. I’ve executed numerous reflecting the previous week and have requested myself tough questions. And I’m so pleased with what now we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow rivals, and followers deserve 100% of me, however proper now, it’s greatest I go away the sphere of play to the subsequent technology of devoted and dedicated athletes.”

Brady, 44, extensively thought of the best quarterback in NFL historical past, received seven Lombardi trophies, probably the most championships received by a single participant, together with 5 Tremendous Bowl MVPs.

He rewrote a lot of the NFL file e-book with private and workforce accomplishments. He piled up profession data equivalent to most landing passes (624) and most passing yards (84,250) in his 22 seasons — of which 20 had been with the New England Patriots.

“My taking part in profession has been such an exciting trip, and much past my creativeness, and filled with ups and downs,” Brady mentioned in his assertion. “If you’re in it each day, you actually don’t take into consideration any sort of ending. As I sit right here now, nevertheless, I consider all the nice gamers and coaches I used to be privileged to play with and in opposition to — the competitors was fierce and deep, JUST HOW WE LIKE IT. However the friendships and relationships are simply as fierce and deep. I’ll keep in mind and cherish these reminiscences and re-visit them typically. I really feel just like the luckiest individual on the earth.”

Brady, who led the Bucs to a Tremendous Bowl title final season and NFC South championship this season, has been adamant for weeks that he by no means needed a “farewell season,” sources advised ESPN.

Buccaneers executives and coaches have been bracing for Brady’s retirement in latest weeks, recognizing that it was extra seemingly than not that he would cling it up after the season, workforce sources advised ESPN.

“To my Bucs teammates the previous two years, I like you guys, and I’ve liked going to battle with you,” Brady mentioned in his put up. “You will have dug so deep to problem your self, and it impressed me to get up each day and provide you with my greatest. I’m at all times right here for you guys and wish to see you proceed to push yourselves to be your greatest. I couldn’t be happier with what we achieved collectively.”

In his announcement, Brady thanked everybody with the Bucs, his enterprise companions, his brokers and his household. Whereas he mirrored on his profession, he didn’t particularly point out his time with the Patriots or anyone inside the group in his assertion, although he did later thank the workforce and its followers in response to a press release issued by Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft.

“Phrases can’t describe the emotions I’ve for Tom Brady, nor adequately specific the gratitude my household, the New England Patriots and our followers have for Tom for all he did throughout his profession,” Kraft mentioned in his assertion. “A technology of soccer followers have grown up understanding solely an NFL by which Tom Brady dominated. …

“You didn’t need to be a Patriots fan to respect and recognize his competitiveness, dedication and can to win that fueled his success. As a fan of soccer, it was a privilege to look at. As a Patriots fan, it was a dream come true.”

Sources advised ESPN on Saturday that Brady had chosen to retire, however Brady’s household and the Bucs had mentioned {that a} closing determination had not been reached. On Monday, Brady mentioned on his SiriusXM podcast that he wasn’t able to finalize his plans.

After 20 seasons with New England that had already cemented his legacy, Brady joined the Bucs in March 2020 and instantly added one other chapter to his story with a seventh Tremendous Bowl title — the primary received by a workforce in its personal stadium.

“Tom joined us as the best soccer participant of all time, and he rapidly confirmed everybody in our group what that meant,” Bucs coach Bruce Arians mentioned Tuesday. “He set a normal and helped create a tradition that took our workforce to the mountaintop.

“It has been an honor to be his head coach for the previous two seasons. I want it didn’t have to finish, however few gamers have the chance to go away the sport on their very own phrases. Even fewer can do it whereas taking part in at an elite degree. Tom is the exception. I’ve a deep appreciation and respect for what he has executed for our franchise, and I want him and his household nothing however one of the best on this subsequent chapter of life after soccer.”

Total, Brady finishes with a 243-73 regular-season file and 35-12 within the playoffs. He received three MVP awards and was chosen to the Professional Bowl 15 instances.

Brady went from 199th choose within the 2000 draft to changing an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001 and main New England to a Tremendous Bowl victory over the closely favored Rams that season.

Brady led the Patriots to consecutive Tremendous Bowl titles following the 2003-04 seasons. No workforce has since repeated as champions.

However New England wouldn’t win one other one for a decade, twice shedding to the New York Giants within the Tremendous Bowl, together with a 17-14 defeat on Feb. 3, 2008, that prevented the Patriots from finishing an ideal season.

Brady earned his fourth ring after the 2014 season. Two years later, within the largest Tremendous Bowl comeback, he led the Patriots out of a 28-3 deficit within the third quarter in opposition to Atlanta Falcons to win in additional time for No. 5. Brady received his sixth championship when New England beat the Rams following the 2018 season.

He reached the playoffs 19 instances, received 18 division titles, went 10-4 in convention championships and 7-3 in Tremendous Bowls.

After beginning his first recreation on Sept. 30, 2001, Brady was below middle for each recreation besides when he suffered a season-ending knee harm in Week 1 in 2008 and the primary 4 video games in 2016 when he sat out a suspension due to the Deflategate scandal.

Identified for his work ethic, intense train routine and strict eating regimen, Brady was higher with age.

After turning 37, Brady received 4 Tremendous Bowls and was 17-4 within the playoffs. He was 95-30, accomplished 65.2% of his passes for 35,371 yards, 265 TDs, 69 interceptions and 100.2 passer score within the common season in these eight seasons.

“Tom Brady will likely be remembered as one of many biggest to ever play within the NFL,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned in a press release launched Tuesday. “An unbelievable competitor and chief, his stellar profession is outstanding for its longevity but in addition for the sustained excellence he displayed yr after yr.

“Tom made everybody round him higher and at all times appeared to rise to the event within the largest moments. … He impressed followers in New England, Tampa and all over the world with one of many biggest careers in NFL historical past. It has been a privilege to look at him compete and have him within the NFL. We thank him for his many contributions to our recreation and want Tom and his household all one of the best sooner or later.”

The Related Press contributed to this report.