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Tom Brady Officially Announces Retirement After 'Thrilling Ride' With Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarter- back Tom Brady has officially announced his retirement from the NFL, saying Tuesday in an In- stagram post that he is "not going to make that competitive commit- ment anymore."
“I have always believed the sport of football is an 'all-in' proposition -- if a 100% competitive commit- ment isn't there, you won't suc- ceed, and success is what I love so much about our game," Brady said in his statement on Insta- gram. "There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.
"This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commit-
ment anymore. I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. 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."
Tom Brady Notable Accomplishments
• 22 NFL seasons (20 for Patriots,
2 for Buccaneers)
• Most touchdown passes in NFL history (624)
• Most passing yards in NFL his- tory (84,520)
• 243 regular-season wins, most in NFL history
• Most playoff wins in NFL history
TOM BRADY
(35), 19 more than any other QB (Joe Montana, 16)
• Most Super Bowl appearances (10) and wins (7)
• 5-time Super Bowl MVP, most in NFL history
• All-time playoff leader in touch- down passes (86), passing yards (13,049) and completions (1,165) • 15 Pro Bowl selections, most in NFL history
• 3-time NFL MVP (2007, 2010, 2017)
• 2009 Comeback Player of the Year
• Named to NFL 100 All-Time Team (1 of 10 quarterbacks)
Brady, 44, widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, won seven Lombardi tro- phies, the most championships won by a single player, along with five Super Bowl MVPs.
He rewrote much of the NFL record book with personal and team accomplishments. He piled up career records such as most touchdown passes (624) and most passing yards (84,250) in his 22 seasons -- of which 20 were with the New England Patriots.
"My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far be- yond my imagination, and full of ups and downs," Brady said in his statement. "When you're in it every day, you really don't think about any kind of ending. As I sit here now, however, I think of all the great players and coaches I was privileged to play with and against -- the competition was fierce and deep, JUST HOW WE LIKE IT. But the friendships and relationships are just as fierce and deep. I will remember and cherish these memories and re-visit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world."
Brady, who led the Bucs to a Super Bowl title last season and NFC South championship this season, has been adamant for weeks that he never wanted a "farewell season," sources told ESPN.
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