After 23 years, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement from the game of football on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old Brady, who retired last February but returned, ends his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in Super Bowl wins (seven), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards (five), Pro Bowl selections (15), regular season wins (251), playoff wins (35), total wins (286), pass completions (7753), passing yards (89214) and passing touchdowns (649).
Brady announced his retirement via a video on Twitter.
“I’m retiring for good,” he said. “I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first. I won’t be long-winded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year, so really, thank you, guys, so much to every single one of you for supporting me.”
Following his retirement, team ownership, GM Jason Licht, and head coach Todd Bowles said the following:
The Glazer Family:
“Tom’s impact on our franchise these past three years has been immense, and we are appreciative of the time we had with him here in Tampa Bay. He set an exceptional standard that elevated our entire organization to new heights and created some of the most iconic moments in our history. Tom’s impact will be felt within our community for many years to come, and we will forever be grateful for those unforgettable memories that he provided during these final seasons of his legendary career. We wish him the best in this next chapter of life and are confident he will find similar success in his future endeavors.”
General Manager Jason Licht:
“Tom’s legacy is unmatched in the history of this game. All the Super Bowl titles and statistical records speak for themselves, but the impact he had on so many people through the years is what I appreciate the most. His imprint on this organization helped take us to the mountaintop. We will certainly miss him as our quarterback, but I will also miss him as a leader and friend. Our entire organization is indebted to him for what he provided us over the past three years. We won’t ever forget the wins or the accolades, and his influence will be felt for years to come.”
Head Coach Todd Bowles:
“I have always had the utmost respect for Tom Brady as a football player, as a winner, and as a person. It wasn’t until he joined us three years ago that I was able to truly appreciate him as a teammate. Even before I became head coach, we communicated often and had a strong relationship built on mutual respect and a desire to win. That connection only grew over this past season as we fought to get the most out of our football team. I greatly appreciate the leadership he provided and am thankful our time together.”
Brady came to Tampa Bay after winning six Super Bowl titles and spending 20 seasons with the New England Patriots (2000-19). In his first season in Tampa Bay in 2020, Brady led Tampa Bay to an 15-5 overall record, capturing the franchise’s second Super Bowl title and earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
He had a great run, and all great runs come to an end!
