Tom Brady retiring after 22 seasons, seven Super Bowl wins

[SouthBayDem]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: ESPN

Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 seasons in which he won a historic seven Super Bowl titles, sources told ESPN.

When Brady, widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, left the field following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, he knew it was likely his final act as a football player, sources said. In the days since, he has spent time digesting that mindset and is preparing his retirement announcement along with the next chapter of his life and career, sources said.

Sources said that Brady's decision to retire is based on several factors, including family and health. While less significant, Brady also recognizes that the Buccaneers are likely to undergo significant roster turnover, sources said.

Brady, 44, has been adamant for weeks that he never wanted a "farewell season," and many who know him believed he desired a decision made without much drama leading up to it. He will shift focus to new endeavors and believes this is the right moment to end his playing career, sources said.

Read more: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33173652/tom-brady-retiring-22-seasons-seven-super-bowl-wins-new-england-patriots-tampa-bay-buccaneers-sources-say

[Archae]

1. Now if only Aaron Rodgers would do the same.

I mean, Rodgers is almost 40, and an expert on choking in the playoffs.

[C Moon]

20. Yes. He does choke a lot in the playoffs.

[underpants]

2. End of an era

Incredible career he’s had. 6th round draft pick.

[jimfields33]

5. Brought so much to the game.

An excellent example of hard work brings success. I am so grateful to him for his incredible gifts he gave the country. Yes morale is important to the country especially during the pandemic. He gave Americans a chance to escape for a few hours every week. I thank him for that. God speed GOAT!!!!!

[KS Toronado]

3. Even though I was never a fan of the teams he played for

I've always admired his abilities as a quarterback.

[Deuxcents]

4. Good. He's young n healthy so..

[orwell]

6. What a brilliant career...

...too bad he was an early Drumpf-humper.

But he was a tremendous football player.

[forthemiddle]

11. He NEVER brought politics into the game

So I will judge him on his athleticism only.
He’s the GOAT.

[orwell]

25. He didn't...

...and from everything I hear his teammates loved him.

He took less money for many years with the Pats so that they could build a better team. In an era of maximizing your salary leverage that speaks volumes.

He was also a Bay Area boy who idolized Joe Montana.

I am reticent in all sports to use the term GOAT. I think it does a disservice to athletes from other eras.

In previous eras quarterbacks didn't last as long due to the violent hits they took in the pocket. In the NBA the bad boy Pistons and the Knicks would have had flagrant fouls assessed 20 times a game.

I will say he is the best quarterback of the last 20 years.

[Upthevibe]

7. Okay.....

I kind of expected this would be the case.

I say this reluctantly(not a Patriots fan) but up to this point, he's probably the best quarterback ever.

[BadGimp]

8. It had to happen I guess

I lived in San Mateo from 83 onward.

My son wanted to play little league so we went to a tryout. Oh my god, it was crazy. My son played quite well and lots of coaches wanted him on their teams which worried me, him and his mother. So I asked around for a coach that just let the kids have fun, and one name kept coming and that was Tom Brady. So I tracked him down and asked him if he'd allow my son to play on his team. He seemed struck by my request but relented.

On the first practice, we all met #12, Tommy Brady. He was the best ballplayer I had ever seen and was to this day. I still have the team roster.

[forthemiddle]

9. He truly is the GOAT

I haven’t never been a fan of his teams, but it has been an incredible honor to watch him play.

[patphil]

22. Agreed. I didn't particularly like him, but his ability as a quarterback is in a class by itself.

[twodogsbarking]

10. He holds a lot of records that will likely stand for a long time.

[Jilly_in_VA]

12. Good

Never have to endure another pout or tantrum from him again. Except now he'll become a commentator somewhere. Ick.

[highplainsdem]

13. Expected that. Would not have wanted to see him keep playing for years, and risking

serious injury, without more likelihood of another Super Bowl victory soon.

Good for him for retiring before an injury makes it necessary.

[Paladin]

14. Whole bunch of sports commentators misjudged this one.

I heard a number of them spewing their opinions that Brady would be around for several more seasons, on their TV shows yesterday.

And tomorrow's NFL pre-game shows are going to be just awful. Non-stop GOAT groveling. I hope TCM has some decent movies to watch.

[Rebl2]

17. No doubt

Unfortunately they will likely go on and on about it

[flying_wahini]

15. Good.

[Mike Nelson]

16. Hmm...

... probably, there's a ga-zillion dollar contract with some news org, waiting in the wings. I hope it's not FOX.

[bluedigger]

19. I highly doubt it.

He's super rich, leaving a highly demanding profession that consumed all his time, and married to a super model. I think he'd rather run a fashion empire and become a business tycoon while calling his own shots (with Giselle) rather than be subject to the whims of a broadcasting network's scheduling needs. He's going to have the best life.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. For Several Years...

...Brady was making $15-20 a year and was making half of what his wife made.
They only need more money if they plan to buy Rhode Island.

[bluedigger]

26. They might compromise and buy Puerto Rico.

He'd probably turn it around, too.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. The Weather's Better!

Tom does play golf, and so does his son!

[LudwigPastorius]

18. I just hope he stays out of politics.

[C Moon]

21. "You don't have Brady to kick around any more, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference.

Glad to see him go (the trump factor and cheating pissed me off), but he was definitely one of the greatest.

[ProfessorGAC]

23. He Didn't Cheat

Deflategate has been scientifically debunked. Boyle's Law says all those footballs were properly inflated before the game.
And(!), the NFL knew that, from advisors at NYU. They ignored the advisors and pursued a nonexistent violation.
Then, they suspended him for being uncooperative when he provably did nothing wrong. I wouldn't have cooperated either.
As to Video gate. Brady wasn't around long enough to be calling those shots. That was 100% Bellichek.

[11 Bravo]

28. Within the last hour Brady, hus coach, his agent, and his Dad have released statements ...

saying that a final decision has not been reached.

[monkeyman1]

29. thank's bud , heard that on ABC just a few ago !

[getagrip_already]

30. he's waiting for tfg to bless his run for governor.....

or maybe even senate.

He has much larger ambitions that cheating at football.

[amuse bouche]

32. Oh 'getagrip_already'

Perfect

[amuse bouche]

31. Been a fan his entire career. I told my sons, while watching last week's game, he would retire

His wife hates when he gets hit.It pains her. His guys did not protect him. He got hit way too many times for her tolerance level. The last straw

[Rebl2]

33. Not so fast!

[monkeyman1]

34. well what ?

[Sogo]

35. The best ever....

And he and his wife are nothing but class (except the photo of him in the black jacket with gold braiding on the lapels)….

[Omaha Steve]

36. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

This is unconfirmed. See this AP story: https://apnews.com/article/tom-brady-retirement-reports-8ec48cdfdcc5f0dd4650b0572dd15252