Tom Brady Confirms Retirement, Snubs Patriots In Emotional Statement
In a statement that made no mention of the Patriots, any Patriots staff or fans, or even the city of Boston/state of Massachusetts, Tom Brady confirmed his plans to retire on Tuesday morning after 22 seasons in the NFL. He shared the news a lengthy statement posted to Twitter.
Brady had earlier denied reports about his impending retirement, only to turn around and confirm it on his own terms days later.
Despite not knowing “what to expect” when he moved to the Bucs, Brady thanked the team’s fans: “your support and embrace have enriched my life,” he said. But the sport of football requires a “100% commitment”, and Brady feels it’s now time for him to focus on other things, like his family, and his businesses – including a blockchain company called Autograph.io. But while he thanks everyone from his agents and managers, to the Buccaneers staff, coaches and players, Brady didn’t even thank Patriots coach Bill Belichick, with whom he reportedly shared a frosty relationship, especially toward the end of his time with the team.
“I have always believed the sport of football is an “all-in” proposition – if a 100% commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed…there are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.”
“I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
Read the full thread below:
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
Twitter responded with an outpouring of affection for Brady, and one user pointed out that Brady’s final play with the Bucs last Sunday (where the Rams eked out a victory despite some fantastic plays made by the star quarterback) must rank as one of the greatest ‘final plays’ of all time.
Other than Ted Williams homering in his last at-bat, is this the greatest final play of any team athlete’s career?https://t.co/DpenHnFXqZ
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) February 1, 2022
Brady led the NFL in yards passing (5,316), touchdowns (43), completions (485) and attempts (719), but the Buccaneers lost at home to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday in the divisional round. As the AP notes, Brady had cited a desire to spend more time with his wife and children despite still playing at the top of his game.
Patriots fans might be miffed given the two decades of winning and half a dozen Superbowl victories they had with Brady. But Buccaneers fans are equally ecstatic to see him retire “as a Buc”.
Tom Brady should retire a Buc. He never lost a super bowl with them. Can’t say that about the Patriots
— Dilla (@E_Dilla) February 1, 2022
And the NYT, clearly miffed by Brady’s decision to deny reports about his retirement, only to confirm it “on his terms” later, had this to say: “The hours that elapsed before Brady confirmed the decision on his terms reinforced the maniacal control that has governed his professional life and career.”
Still, nobody can knock Brady’s personal accomplishments on field: as a reuslt, he’s retiring with three league Most Valuable Player Awards and as the NFL career leader in touchdown passes, passing yardage and victories.
The big question now: Brady’s Republican politics have been an open secret for most of his career. Now that he’s made a home in famously conservative Florida, will we see a Senator Brady, or a governor Brady? He wouldn’t be the first professional athlete to make the transition to politics.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 02/01/2022 – 10:24
via ZeroHedge News https://ift.tt/QUYJgqs25 Tyler Durden