After 22 seasons, seven Super Bowl titles, and days of denials, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is finally calling it quits.
‘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 wrote in a statement, which he posted across his social media platforms on Tuesday.
‘There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential.When you have any kind of inquiries relating to wherever in addition to how to use พนันกีฬา, you possibly can email us from the web-page. 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.’
Brady thanked his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen and his children, saying they are his ‘inspiration’ and ‘greatest achievement.’
Curiously absent from Brady’s farewell statement was any mention of the New England Patriots, the club he guided to six Super Bowl titles over 20 seasons before leaving for Tampa in March of 2020.
However, Patriots owner Robert Kraft did release a statement of his own, saying it was a ‘privilege’ to watch him, and Brady responded on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon: ‘Thank You Patriots Nation. I’m beyond grateful.Love you all.’
The 44-year-old signed a one-year, $25 million contract extension after guiding the Bucs to a Super Bowl win last year. That deal included a $20 million signing bonus, $15 million of which would have been paid to him on Friday.So by retiring, Brady likely saved the Bucs $15 million, although they can choose to pay out his full signing bonus.
Since being drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady has earned more than $292 million in salary over 22 seasons, according to Spotrac.And that does not include earnings from his fitness brand or his many endorsement deals with companies such as Subway and Under Armour, not to mention his recent foray into non-fungible tokens.
Brady and the Bucs’ season came to an end in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs last month, when they were beaten in Tampa on a last-second field goal by the Los Angeles Rams. The team’s current backup is the uncelebrated 32-year-old Blaine Gabbert, so the Bucs are expected to add more potential replacements, either through free agency or in the NFL draft.
The betting favorite to replace Brady is his former backup, current 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, according to SportsBetting.ag.
Tom Brady is pictured with wife Giselle and his children (from left to right) Ben, 12, Jack, 14 and Vivian, 9.In his retirement announcement, Brady said they were his 'inspiration' and 'greatest achievement'
Tom Brady announced his retirement on Instagram following weeks of speculation
Although he neglected to thank the Patriots or their fans in his retirement statement, Brady did mention them on Twitter
'Congratulations to my friend Tom on an unbelievable football career,' friend and former rival Peyton Manning wrote in a statement.'To do it as long as he did, at the highest of levels is absolutely incredible. It was an honor & a privilege to compete against him on the field, and I truly appreciate his friendship off the field.
'I have always admired & respected his competitiveness, his dedication, his discipline, and his commitment to being the best.I wish him the best in his next chapter. Congratulations again, pal!'
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement.
'Tom Brady will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL,' said Goodell, who once suspended Brady for four games in 2016 for his alleged involvement in the 'Deflategate' scandal.