Tom Brady, at 44 years of age, is expected to call it quits from the NFL after 22 seasons and a historic seven Super Bowl titles, in the coming days, according to sources.
Brady has had a legendary career. He first came into the league as a sixth-round pick, 199 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Michigan. He was selected by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Brady spent the first year of his career behind veteran signal caller Drew Bledsoe. Then in Week 2 of the 2001 campaign, a catastrophic hit by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis took Bledsoe out of the game. From that moment on, Brady’s career, the Patriots franchise and the NFL where forever changed.
Brady then took the reins and helped the Patriots to a Super Bowl XXXVI victory, the first in the organizations history. Brady’s legend only continued to expand, as he and the team would go on to win three Super Bowls over the next four seasons.
New England continued to be successful under Brady, despite not hoisting any Lombardi Trophies for ten years. To add to his resume, Brady had a record-shattering 50 touchdown season in 2007, with 23 of them caught by wide receiver Randy Moss. That year, the Patriots had a perfect regular season, only losing to Eli Manning and the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
The Patriots got back to their winning ways, claiming three championships in the span of 2014-2018. Those Super Bowl wins elevated Brady into a class all his own, especially Super Bowl LI, where he made a miraculous comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, being down 28-3 at the half, winning 34-28 in overtime. In his last Super Bowl appearance with the Patriots, they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.
Brady spent two decades with New England, playing his final game with them on Wild Card Weekend against the Tennessee Titans, losing 20-13. He departed in free agency to join Bruce Arians and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first year with the organization, Brady led them to a Super Bowl as a Wild Card team, beating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, giving him an unprecedented seven titles.
Brady saved the best regular season for last, compiling 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. His final game was a 30-27 defeat at the hands of Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Brady and the Bucs tied the game at 27, with less than a minute to go in regulation, but the Rams were able to get in field goal range, thanks in large part to wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who made the two receptions to get them into field goal range. Then kicker Matt Gay made the field goal at the buzzer.
Brady, who is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, knew that game would most likely be his last. In the days following, he prepared himself for the inevitable retirement and the next chapter of his life. On Tuesday, he made it official
Along with Brady’s seven Super Bowls, he earned five Super Bowl MVP trophies. He also had three regular season MVP awards. He has thrown more completions, passing yards and touchdowns (624) than any other quarterback that has come before him. Brady is also the most winning player in NFL history, with 278 total wins and that is just the tip of the iceberg of his accomplishments. He was also a 15 time Pro Bowler.
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition — if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady said in his statement on Instagram. “There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore. I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
Brady will be the second future Hall of Fame quarterback hanging up his cleats this postseason, after Pittsburth Steelers Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement last Thursday.
