On Saturday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington reported that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was retiring from the NFL. However, Brady disputed the report, and said on Monday that he’s “still going through the process.”
Well, on Tuesday, Brady finally made the retirement official. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced the news Tuesday morning on social media. And Schefter was surely quite happy to relay the news after his initial report was disputed.
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
Official word from Tom Brady: pic.twitter.com/jWCQAi9Vb8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2022
This news basically confirms that the report from Schefter and Darlington was correct all along (unless Brady truly made this decision over the last two days, which is hard to believe), but Brady wanted to be the one to make the announcement (and get big numbers on his social media pages).
So, the GOAT is officially hanging ’em up, after a mind-blowing 22-year career that featured winning the NFL MVP three times and Super Bowl MVP five times (in his seven titles).
The 44-year-old was still an elite quarterback at the end, winning the Super Bowl MVP in the 2020 season and putting together a 43-touchdown, 102.1 passer rating in 2021. He likely could’ve kept playing quarterback at a high level for a few more years, but he’s already done plenty enough both in terms of football success and on the moneymaking front- and while keeping his long-term health and well-being in a good place despite 22 years in a violent sport. And he made it clear last week that his family would be the primary factor for when he decides to retire.
There’s also the football impact of this: where do the Buccaneers go from here, and who’s their 2022 quarterback? Additionally, the NFC will look a whole lot different — and likely be much worse — next year without Brady, potentially without Aaron Rodgers, potentially without Russell Wilson, and with Sean Payton stepping away from coaching.
Here’s a sampling of the reaction to Brady making his retirement official:
A statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the retirement of Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/jkuDjeRVjE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2022
Memories to last a lifetime. Thank you, 1⃣2⃣.#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/m9ipziiFmn
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 1, 2022
"Saying goodbye to a legend is never easy, but we wish him continued success in retirement."
– The Glazer Family pic.twitter.com/7z9OZGRNdK
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 1, 2022
It was quite the ride.
Thank you and congratulations, @TomBrady. pic.twitter.com/0gPwUROEkz
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2022
A privilege to watch and a dream come true.
Statement from Robert Kraft on Tom Brady: https://t.co/YsXbvFx12d pic.twitter.com/r6zIMHKCU1
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2022
this better be real
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 1, 2022
Going to miss you, @TomBrady. pic.twitter.com/u0at0Ek1Ox
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 1, 2022
When I think about Tom Brady, he’s a true winner who handled himself with class throughout his entire career.
Even with those seven Super Bowl rings, he never lost that competitive fire to be the best.
Congratulations, @TomBrady, on a tremendous career! https://t.co/bXmwUo3bc8
— John Elway (@johnelway) February 1, 2022
Congrats to the Greatest. @TomBrady #12
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 1, 2022
🐐 22 years
🐐 7X Super Bowl champion
🐐 3X NFL MVP
🐐 6X All Pro
🐐 NFL's all time passing TD leader
🐐 NFL's all time passing yard leader
🐐 Most career wins: 243What a career it was for Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/rF9MVBD6ZF
— PFF (@PFF) February 1, 2022
Using @PFF WAR, most valuable player since
2021: Tom Brady
2020: Brady
2019: Brady
2018: Brady
2017: Brady
2016: Brady
2015: Brady
2014: Brady
2013: Brady
2012: Brady
2011: Brady
2010: Brady
2009: Brady
2008: Brady
2007: Brady
2006: Brady*WAR goes back to 2006
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) February 1, 2022
What's crazy about Tom Brady is that there was still somewhat of a Brady-Manning debate when Peyton Manning retired after 2015 and then Tom Brady spent the next 6 seasons having what would have constituted a Hall of Fame career on its own
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) February 1, 2022
At age 44, Tom Brady set CAREER-highs in:
🐐 Yards
🐐 Completions (most ever)And led the NFL in:
🐐 Yards
🐐 TDTom beat time. pic.twitter.com/QdwSK4wQpX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2022
Brady retires with a 9-part Instagram post that never mentions the Patriots, Belichick or the Krafts. INTERESTING.https://t.co/81P74w9SMt
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 1, 2022
Bruce Arians in the Bucs locker room after Brady retired pic.twitter.com/FlHBiDJ0Zq
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) February 1, 2022
#BREAKING: Tom Brady, who lost 2 Super Bowls to the Giants during his legendary 22-year NFL career, retires; see his full message here https://t.co/xJUpRDfznQ
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) February 1, 2022
Tom Brady, known for dropping a pass in Super Bowl LII and failing to shake Nick Foles' hand, has announced his retirement from the NFL.
MORE: https://t.co/mNfLKQ4C6O pic.twitter.com/1FkhkqB37K
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) February 1, 2022
Man who could never beat Nick Foles decides to stop trying: https://t.co/bfAo0QRDYC
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 1, 2022
This killed me pic.twitter.com/V12tPlFAiJ
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) February 1, 2022
me @ Tom Brady’s 8 slide insta retirement pic.twitter.com/Vm6Xou8Iil
— Jessica Smetana (@jessica_smetana) February 1, 2022
What a ride.
Tom Brady has officially announced his retirement after 22 seasons in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/DhdlRLrbr8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 1, 2022
Apparently, people were second-guessing @AdamSchefter and @JeffDarlington for their Saturday report on Tom Brady’s retirement, now official.
It’s a day to celebrate Brady.
As journalists, Schefter and Darlington should be celebrated, too. #ESPN #Brady
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 1, 2022
