In Super Bowl LV, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers came out on top against the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 31-9. Many believed after just one year with the Buccaneers that Brady would retire after winning his seventh championship ring. But shortly after the final week of football, reports went out that Brady would be back for at least one more year. 

In the 2021-22 season, the Buccaneers finished 1st in the NFC South with a record of 13-4. The Buccaneers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFL playoffs but fell just short of the Los Angeles Rams on a last-minute field goal, making the final score a 27-30Buccaneers loss. 

After not finishing the end goal during the season, many football fans question if Brady will come back for another season to fight for an eighth championship. On Jan. 29, 2022, social media started blowing up with reports that the G.O.A.T. was finally deciding to retire. Videos and pictures were released commemorating Brady’s 22 years in the NFL. This left many fans and athletes in shock, former competitors including Michael Thomas tweeted out his respect for Brady about this big accomplishment. 

With rumors quickly spreading but not a final answer from Brady, Brady’s father told reporters that Brady had not decided yet about retirement. This quickly shut down rumors, but many fans still believed that this would be the end of the Brady era. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, Brady put out a post stating he has decided to retire from his football career. In his statement he said, “I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore.” He continues, “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.” He went on to thank the organization and his family. 

After 22 seasons in the NFL, seven championships, ten Super Bowl appearances and three MVPs, many say this is the “end of an era” and leaves a big question mark in the Buccaneer franchise but an exclamation mark to the end of Brady’s career. 

After 22 prolific seasons in the NFL, Tom Brady will be retiring.  The 44-year-old made the announcement via an Instagram post on Tuesday, Feb.1. In the post, Brady thanked his teammates and reflected on his career.

“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” said Brady.” 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.”

This announcement was to be expected, after many reports came out over the weekend stating that Brady plans to retire. Brady’s management was quick to shut down these rumors. However, Brady made it official when he posted to Instagram on Tuesday.

Many celebrities took to Twitter to show Brady support and thanked him for everything.

“Very proud of my friend Tom Brady,” said singed Kenny Chesney via Twitter. “You inspired us all with your work ethic and passion. Congrats pal.”

Brady played college football at the University of Michigan. He never had much success at the collegiate level, which caused him to fall in the NFL draft. He was selected with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. Brady was originally the backup in New England. However, he took over as the Patriots starting quarterback in his second season. Later that year he led the team to a Super Bowl victory. After defeating the St. Louis Rams by a score of 20-17.

Brady is widely considered the greatest quarterback of all time. In his 22 seasons in the NFL, he threw for over 84,000 yards and 620 touchdowns. He has seven Super Bowl wins. With his most recent victory happening in 2021. In his final NFL game, Brady led the Buccaneers back from a 27-3 deficit, but unfortunately the comeback fell short after the Los Angeles Rams kicked a field goal to win 30-27.

Brady is the definition of an NFL draft steal. He came into the league as a massive underdog with a chip on his shoulder. He worked incredibly hard to get to where he is at now and left a huge legacy on the NFL. He will always be remembered as a winner and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.