No one really dared to believe it… Possibly rightly so. While the retirement of legend Tom Brady was first announced by several media and the National American Football League (NFL) itself on Saturday January 29, this first information seems less and less categorical.
The player did not confirm in the evening. And while his firm, TB12 Sports had initially relayed a visual inscribed on social networks “thank you for everything Tom Brady“, this one was removed shortly after its publication. Some close to the quarterback, his father in mind, denied the information. His Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise, eliminated last Sunday in the conference semi-finals by the Los Angeles Rams, has on several occasions left the suspense hanging over this announcement, which had the effect of a shock beyond even from the world of sport, across the Atlantic.
According to the important US media Bally Sports, ex-Fox Sports“Brady contacted club chief executive Jason Licht and told him he had yet to make a final decision.“. Bucs coach Bruce Arians, interviewed by Sports Illustrated journalist Albert Breer, for his part assured that Brady had not informed the team of his wish to retire.
About an hour ago, I asked Bucs coach @BruceArians if @TomBrady had informed the team that he’s retiring. He responded via text, “No, he hasn’t.” Other key people here have also said privately they didn’t know this was coming.
We’ll see. https://t.co/YLLeapCkku
—Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 29, 2022
The player’s agent Don Yee addressed ESPNone of the first outlets to announce Brady’s retirement, a short statement claiming that the player “will be the only person to express themselves on their projects with total accuracy“.”He knows the realities of the American football world and the timing that entails better than anyone, so it will be soon” he insisted, about his protege. According to NBC SportsBrady is not currently in the United States and is not expected to return there in the coming days, which could delay an official communication.
We imagined the immortal quarterback stacking up another season to finish in apotheosis with a new Lombardi trophy in his pocket. An eighth. It was perhaps a little quick to forget that Brady is 44 years old. A more than canonical age for NFL standards and violence. Even if he always knew how to preserve his body from serious injuries, “TB12” may have judged that it was time for him to leave the arena.
7x Super Bowl champ Tom Brady retiring after 22 NFL seasons. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/jUYaLvrYg8
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2022
One stat is enough to illustrate the incredible career of Brady, the man with seven Super Bowls: the most successful teams (Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots) have won it “only” six times…
Brady had sown doubt after the loss to the Rams last Sunday when he suggested that he had to advise on the follow-up to give to his career taking into account his family situation.
The husband of Gisèle Bündchen, father of two children, could therefore retire after 22 years spent in the light. He, recruited anonymously in 199th place in the Draft, the annual selection of the best hopes, by the Patriots in 2000, has become an icon of his sport, and even of American culture. He is the ultimate winner, the one with the craziest returns, who also holds almost all passing records in the history of the game.
.@TomBrady gave us so many unbelievable moments…
But this might’ve been his masterpiece. #ThankYouTom pic.twitter.com/qO7NCdVqek
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2022
Beyond all his personal statistics, the Californian would leave with seven Super Bowls, six with New England (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019) and a last, conquered last year, with Tampa Bay. Landed in Florida after a whole career with the Patriots, he led the Buccaneers to the supreme title in his first season. A huge feat. One more in the career of “golden boy” from America.