He’s retiring. For real, this time.
After retiring, then un-retiring 40 days later, Tom Brady came back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season for a tumultuous 8-9 playoff season.
It’s been well-documented that Brady and ex-wife Gisele Bundchen split this year, with Brady saying after the season that he wasn’t as locked in to the season as he had been in the past.
Rather than letting a protracted offseason saga play out about whether he’d continue, and where he’d sign — perhaps a homecoming to the 49ers? — Brady announced on Wednesday that he was done competing.
After seven Super Bowls and unquestionably the greatest NFL career of all time, it’s over.
He posted the video above, saying the following as his voice wavered towards the end:
I’m retiring for good. 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 so I won’t be long winded.
You only get one super emotional retirement essay and I used mine up last year so, I really thank you guys so much.
To every single one of you for supporting me, my family, my friends, teammates, my competitors, I could go on forever there’s too many. Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. Love you all.
It’s a decision that sends shockwaves throughout the NFL and creates one more quarterback opening that will likely impact the landing spots and contracts available for the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr and others.
That will all play out over the coming days and weeks. For now, though, it’s a moment to recognize the greatest of all time.