Quarterback Tom Brady is retiring. Again. The future Hall of Famer made the announcement Wednesday, precisely one 12 months after his final retirement. But this time, he mentioned the choice is “for good.”
He spent 23 years within the league, 20 of which had been with the New England Patriots and the remainder with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After so a few years within the NFL, he has numerous tales, lots of of former teammates, and profession accomplishments that can seemingly by no means be duplicated.
The Patriots drafted Brady within the sixth spherical of the 2000 NFL Draft with the No. 199 general choose. He advised proprietor Robert Kraft that he can be the perfect resolution the franchise ever made, and I believe it is protected to say he was.
“I’m so pleased with Tommy,” Kraft mentioned in an announcement launched by the workforce. “He has completed all the pieces there’s to attain on this sport, and a lot extra. No participant in NFL historical past has executed it as nicely for so long as Tom Brady. He is the fiercest competitor I’ve ever identified and the final word champion. He led the Patriots to 20 years of unprecedented dominance. He is actually the best of all-time. Words can not adequately specific the gratitude my household, the New England Patriots and our followers have for all the pieces he has executed. It’s been a blessing for me to look at him develop, first as a younger skilled on the sector, however most significantly, as an individual off it. He is among the most loving, caring and passionate gamers I’ve ever identified and I’ll at all times take into account him part of our household.”
Added Bill Belichick: “Tom Brady was the final word winner. He entered the NFL with little to no fanfare and leaves as probably the most profitable participant in league historical past. His relentless pursuit of excellence drove him every day. His work ethic and need to win had been each motivational and inspirational to teammates and coaches alike. Tom was a real skilled who carried himself with class and integrity all through his profession. I thank Tom for the constructive influence he had on me and on the Patriots and congratulate him on his superb profession.”
To commemorate his (second) retirement, the workforce that took an opportunity on the quarterback with the following scouting report upon getting into the NFL — “poor construct, skinny, lacks nice bodily stature and energy, lacks mobility and talent to keep away from the frenzy, lacks a very sturdy arm, cannot drive the ball downfield, doesn’t throw a very tight spiral” — posted a video montage of No. 12 highlights.
“Forever a legend,” the caption learn. “Congratulations, [Tom Brady]”
In 23 years, Brady threw 649 common season touchdowns to greater than 90 totally different gamers, however certainly one of his favourite targets was his BFF and sidekick, vast receiver Julian Edelman. Of all 96 receivers, Edelman ranked third for many touchdowns caught from the GOAT with 36, behind solely Randy Moss (39) and Rob Gronkowski (90).
Edelman and Brady have lengthy made their “bromance” public on social media, on the sidelines throughout video games and understanding collectively, so it was no shock that when Brady determined to hold up the cleats, Edelman had a put up prepared.
Referencing Brady’s retirement video, the place he mentioned you solely get one lengthy emotional retirement put up and he already used his, Edelman wrote, “You solely get one tremendous emotional response to the GOAT retiring, and I used mine up.”
The social media put up continues with, “So I’ll simply say this. Watching you and studying from you as a participant, teammate, chief, son, brother, and father has been the expertise of a lifetime. Love you buddy. PS. Pickleball companions?” together with a coronary heart and goat emoji.
Edelman shared 10 images of them collectively on the sector, together with images from among the Super Bowls they received collectively.
Brady’s different favourite goal, Rob Gronkowski, who adopted TB12 to Tampa, shared a message on Instagram for his quarterback. “Tommy, since I already wrote you an extended retirement message final 12 months, this time I shall say, welcome to the 2x retired membership. You’re a legend and also you at all times shall be, my pal.”
Gronk retired as a Patriot, however when Brady introduced he was going to the Bucs, No. 87 unretired to affix who he calls the one quarterback he would ever play with. The two received a Super Bowl collectively earlier than Gronkowski retired for a second time.
