Tom Brady, the man who took the NFL by storm, has once again hung up his cleats. The 44-year-old quarterback is considered by many to be the greatest player to have ever graced a football field. Over the course of his storied career, Brady earned seven Super Bowl rings, five Super Bowl MVP awards, and was selected to the Pro Bowl 14 times. He has broken countless records and has established himself as one of the most successful players in NFL history.
Brady’s journey in the NFL has been nothing short of extraordinary. He was drafted 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, and from there he went on to become one of the most dominant players of all time. He spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, where he became the face of the franchise and helped lead them to six Super Bowl championships. In 2020, he made the move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won his seventh Super Bowl in his first season with the team. His career has been a testament to his unwavering dedication, talent, and perseverance.
The Early Retirement and Return
In February 2022, after a disappointing season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady retired from the NFL, only to return a month later. His time away from the sport allowed him to refocus and approach the game from a more philosophical perspective, which he discussed on his weekly podcast appearances throughout the 2022/23 season.
However, his personal life was in turmoil, with the announcement of his divorce from wife Gisele Bündchen in October, and her concerns about the violent nature of the sport. Despite this, Brady remained a positive force on the field, finishing the regular season ranked 11th in the NFL’s quarterback rankings and leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs.
A Struggling Season
Unfortunately, the Buccaneers never really took off in the 2022/23 season, as they suffered from an injury-plagued offensive line, injured offensive weapons, and a struggling defense.
Brady demonstrated his continued excellence, demonstrating abilities more typical of a 50-year-old than a 40-year-old, concluding the season with a record of 8 wins and 9 losses, and being ousted from the playoffs in the opening round by the Dallas Cowboys.
The Final Decision
With his contract with the Buccaneers expiring at the end of the season, Brady’s future was uncertain. After much deliberation, he decided to retire and pursue a career in broadcasting, signing a 10-year contract worth $375 million with Fox Sports to become their lead analyst. He expressed excitement about the opportunity to travel and learn from other industry professionals and said he was “really looking to learn.”
Tom Brady’s retirement marks the end of an era in the NFL, one that saw him go from a sixth-round draft pick to a seven-time Super Bowl champion, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time. His last season showed that even approaching 50, he still possessed the skills to perform at a high level, and his move into broadcasting could mark the start of a prosperous and productive new era.
