UNBELIEVABLE QB, CAREER
7-time Super Bowl winner Brady retires — again — with just about every meaningful passing record in his possession
TAMPA, Fla. — This time, Tom Brady says he’s done for good.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots and Buccaneers announced his retirement Wednesday, exactly one year after first saying his playing days were over, by posting a video lasting just under one minute on social media.
Unlike last winter, though, the most successful quarterback in league history, as well as one of the greatest athletes in team sports, said his decision was final.
“Good morning, guys. I’ll get to the point right away,” Brady says as the message begins. “I’m retiring. For good.”
He briefly retired after the 2021 season but came back for one more year with the Bucs. He retires at 45, the owner of virtually every meaningful NFL passing record in an unprecedented 23-year career.
A year ago when he retired, it was in the form of a long Instagram post. But about six weeks later, he decided to return for one more run, citing “unfinished business” after an early playoff exit.
The Bucs — with whom he won a Super Bowl two seasons ago — made the playoffs again this season, losing in their playoff opener. And at the time, it begged the question about whether Brady would play again. Only a couple of weeks later, he has given the answer.
“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,” Brady says in the video. “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. 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.”
Brady is the NFL’s career leader in passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649). He is the only player to win more than five Super Bowls and has been MVP of the game five times. He also holds marks for regular-season wins (251), Super Bowl appearances (10), playoff games and wins (48, 35), as well as playoff yards (13,400) and TD passes (88).
“Tom’s legacy is unmatched in the history of this game. All the Super Bowl titles and records speak for themselves, but the impact he had on so many people through the years is what I appreciate the most,” Bucs GM Jason Licht said.