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A16 sports
Tuesday 15 March 2022
Tom Brady is returning to Tampa to play 23rd season in NFL

By ROB MAADDI AP Twitter.
Pro Football Writer Brady's return should im-
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom pact their decisions and
Brady's retirement lasted 40 the team's plans. Tampa's
days. odds for winning the Super
Brady said Sunday he's re- Bowl went from 25:1 to 7
turning to the Tampa Bay 1/2:1, tied with Green Bay
Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL for second-best behind
season. Buffalo at 7:1, according to
The seven-time Super Bowl FanDuel Sportsbook.
champion announced his "We are thrilled that Tom
decision on Twitter and In- has decided to come back
stagram, saying he has "un- this season," Bucs general
finished business." The news manager Jason Licht said.
stole the spotlight from the "We said we would leave
NCAA's Selection Sunday. all options open for him
"These past two months should he reconsider his
I've realized my place is still retirement and today's an-
on the field and not in the nouncement is something
stands," Brady wrote. "That we have been preparing
time will come. But it's not for in recent days.
now. I love my teammates, "Bruce and I have had
and I love my supportive plenty of conversations
family. They make it all pos- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams with Tom recently that led
sible. I'm coming back for during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. us to believe there was a
my 23rd season in Tampa." Associated Press realistic chance he would
Brady led the Buccaneers want to come back. Tom
to a Super Bowl title follow- ductive as anyone in the fans reacted with jubilation. Brady convinced his bud- is the greatest quarterback
ing the 2020 season and league last season. We are All-Pro right tackle Tristan dy to unretire to join him in of all time who is still playing
NFC South championship ecstatic that he decided to Wirfs called it "unreal." Re- Tampa in 2020. The team at an elite level. With this
last season. He teamed continue playing and work- ceivers Mike Evans and lost Pro Bowl guard Ali Mar- decision now made, we will
with coach Bill Belichick to ing toward winning anoth- Chris Godwin shared their pet, who retired at age 28. continue to move forward
win six Super Bowls during er championship." joy in emojis. But Godwin is staying after with our offseason plans to
20 seasons with the New Brady cited his desire to Giants safety Logan Ryan getting the franchise tag. reload this roster for anoth-
England Patriots. spend more time with his said Brady's return is "good Brady's decision comes er championship run."
The 44-year-old Brady led wife, supermodel Gisele for football." Rams star cor- right before the NFL free Brady is the NFL's career
the NFL in yards passing Bundchen, and three chil- nerback Jalen Ramsey agency period begins. The leader in yards passing
(5,316), touchdowns (43), dren when he decided to tweeted: "THANK YOU! Bucs have several key play- (84,520) and TDs (624). He's
completions (485) and at- walk away from the game throw that last touchdown ers set to hit the open mar- the only player to win more
tempts (719) in 2021, but the on Feb. 1. But he changed on somebody else." ket: running back Leonard than five Super Bowls and
Buccaneers lost at home to his mind about staying Many Hall of Fame players Fournette, cornerback Car- has been MVP of the game
the Los Angeles Rams in the home, a day after attend- across several sports re- ton Davis, safety Jordan five times.
divisional round. ing the Manchester United turned to playing after retir- Whitehead, linebacker Ja- Brady has won three NFL
"Tom Brady loves to play match against Tottenham ing, including Michael Jor- son Pierre-Paul, defensive MVP awards, been a first-
football as much as anyone Hotspur. Brady sat with the dan, Magic Johnson and tackle Ndamukong Suh, team All-Pro three times
I have ever been around," Glazer Family, who own Bob Cousy in the NBA, Brett Gronkowski and others. and selected to the Pro
Buccaneers coach Bruce Manchester United and the Favre and Reggie White in They kept one of those key Bowl 15 times. He is 243-73
Arians said. "As Tom said, Buccaneers. the NFL, Guy Lafleur and players when Pro Bowl cen- in his career in the regular
his place right now is on His reversal sent shock Mario Lemieux in the NHL. ter Ryan Jensen agreed to season and 35-12 in the
the football field. He is still waves throughout the The Buccaneers are hope- a three-year contract late playoffs.
playing at a champion- sports world, and his team- ful star tight end Rob Sunday night, his agent He's back to build on all
ship level and was as pro- mates and Buccaneers Gronkowski also returns. Mike McCartney said on those numbers.q

Brent Sass maintains Iditarod lead but

cautious about Seavey

By MARK THIESSEN White Mountain is where start thinking about the fin-
Associated Press mushers must take a man- ish line.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) datory eight-hour layover "We're not there yet," Sass
— Brent Sass hasn't seen before making the final 77- said when he stopped at
another musher for hun- mile (124-kilometer) push the checkpoint in the vil-
dreds of miles, a pretty along Alaska's western lage of Koyuk. "It's been a
good sign when you're coastline and the Bering good run, but he's still right
leading the Iditarod Trail Sea ice to the finish line in back there."
Sled Dog Race. Nome. Sass was referring to Dal-
Sass arrived in the check- "No way, not quite yet," he las Seavey, the five-time
Musher Brent Sass calls for his team to go as he departs the Idi- point at White Mountain told a film crew Sunday champion who has been
tarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Unalakleet, Alaska on Saturday, at 11:05 a.m. Monday and night for the Iditarod In- running in second place
March 12, 2022. picked up $2,500 for being sider website when asked behind Sass.q
Associated Press
first into the community. if he's allowing himself to