CNN
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Legendary quarterback Tom Brady has introduced his retirement after 23 seasons within the NFL.
“I’ll get to the purpose immediately,” Brady, 45, mentioned in a video posted to Twitter Wednesday.
“I’m retiring for good. I do know the method was a reasonably large deal final time, so after I wakened this morning, I figured I’d simply press file and allow you to guys know first.
“It gained’t be long-winded. You solely get one super-emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up final yr.”
The seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion additionally thanked his household, buddies, teammates and opponents for his or her assist throughout his illustrious profession.
“Thanks guys for permitting me to dwell my absolute dream,” he mentioned within the brief video. “I wouldn’t change a factor.”
Brady had initially retired in February 2022, however the choice proved short-term as he returned for yet one more season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He’s thought of by many to be the best quarterback of all time, having led the New England Patriots to 6 Lombardi Trophies and the Bucs to at least one.
Throughout his lengthy profession, the three-time league MVP has damaged nearly each passing file, together with common season passing yards (89,214) and passing touchdowns (649). He has additionally amassed essentially the most wins of any participant in NFL historical past (251).
“The best ever,” the NFL tweeted on Wednesday.
Some members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers group have been knowledgeable round 6 a.m. ET Wednesday of Brady’s choice to retire, a staff spokesperson instructed CNN.
After Brady made his choice public, Buccaneers Normal Supervisor Jason Licht mentioned the quarterback’s legacy was “unmatched within the historical past of this sport.”
“All of the Tremendous Bowl titles and statistical information converse for themselves, however the affect he had on so many individuals by the years is what I admire essentially the most,” Licht mentioned in a statement.
“His imprint on this group helped take us to the mountaintop. We will definitely miss him as our quarterback, however I may also miss him as a frontrunner and pal.
“Our complete group is indebted to him for what he offered us over the previous three years. We gained’t ever overlook the wins or the accolades and his affect will likely be felt for years to return.”
Chosen 199th total within the sixth spherical of the 2000 NFL draft by the Patriots, Brady performed 20 seasons in Foxborough.
He left New England as a free agent after the 2020 season and signed with the Bucs the place he led the staff to a Tremendous Bowl win in 2021.
A shoo-in for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, Brady will likely be eligible for election in 2028 when followers will get the prospect to have fun his unimaginable profession yet again.
“Best of All Time. No query, no debate. It’s been an honor and a privilege,” JJ Watt – the most effective defensive gamers of all time – tweeted Wednesday.
He added: “The newly retired group meets on the golf course each morning at 10am. Drinks are on the brand new man, so carry your pockets.”
In photos: NFL legend Tom Brady
Regardless of all his success, Brady discovered profitable rather a lot more durable throughout his closing season within the NFL.
The Bucs completed with an 8-9 file, with a lot of their stars not performing on the degree which helped them win a title two seasons in the past.
Brady, who was on account of be a free agent within the offseason, didn’t appear to be his unflappable self both, with uncommon errors and uncharacteristic mistimings creeping into the Tampa Bay offense.
It was additionally a tough yr off the sector, with Brady going by a divorce from his spouse of 13 years, Gisele Bundchen.
Regardless of the tough closing yr of his profession, Brady marches off into the sundown because the proprietor of extra Tremendous Bowls than any particular person NFL franchise, a 15-time Professional Bowler and a robust case as, not simply the best NFL participant of all time, however the most effective athletes ever in any sport.