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Agence France-Presse

NFL icon Tom Brady confirmed his retirement from the sport on Tuesday, officially bringing the curtain down on a glittering 22-season career.
The 44-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in history, made the announcement in a post on Instagram.
Brady, winner of a record seven Super Bowls, said he was quitting the sport after deciding he could no longer make the “competitive commitment” to continue.
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100 per cent competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady wrote.












View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady)



“There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge every single day that has allowed me to maximise my highest potential …
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment any more.
“I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”
Despite retirement reports, NFL’s Tom Brady ‘has not made up his mind’
Brady’s announcement draws a line under three days of feverish speculation that he was preparing to call time on his career.
News of his imminent retirement had been reported by ESPN citing multiple sources close to the player on Saturday.
However, Brady did not comment, with other reports saying he had not decided one way or another.
On Monday, the former New England Patriots star had been coy during an appearance on his own podcast, saying he was considering his future on a day-to-day basis.

“I think when the time’s right I’ll be ready to make a decision one way or another, just like I said last week,” he said.
Brady is a five-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and three-time NFL season MVP, winning a record 243 regular-season gams.
Brady set NFL career passing records with 7,263 completions on 11,317 attempts for 84,520 yards and 624 touchdowns.
The bulk of his career was spent with the New England Patriots, where he won six Super Bowls in tandem with head coach Bill Belichick.

But he added an improbable seventh Super Bowl to his collection in 2021 after opting to join Tampa Bay in 2020. He led the Buccaneers back into the playoffs this season, but they exited in the divisional round with a 30-27 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
“My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far beyond my imagination, and full of ups and downs,” Brady said on Tuesday.
“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 revisit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute to Brady as “one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL”.
“An incredible competitor and leader, his stellar career is remarkable for its longevity but also for the sustained excellence he displayed year after year,” Goodell said.
“Tom made everyone around him better and always seemed to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments … It has been a privilege to watch him compete and have him in the NFL.”
Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians meanwhile said Brady joined the team in 2020 as “the greatest football player of all time”.
“He quickly showed everyone in our organisation what that meant,” Arian said. “He set a standard and helped create a culture that took our team to the mountaintop.
“It has been an honour to be his head coach for the past two seasons. I wish it didn’t have to end, but few players have the opportunity to leave the game on their own terms … Tom is the exception.”


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NFL (National Football League)

Tom Brady confirms retirement: NFL icon ends ‘thrilling ride’, says ‘it’s time to focus on other things’

New England Patriots’ Tom Brady celebrates winning Super Bowl LIII. Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the Seattle Seahawks to wide receiver Brandon LaFell during the NFL Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona on February 1, 2015. Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder

Tom Brady watches the action during the second half of the New England Patriots’ AFC Divisional playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Foxborough, Massachusetts on January 12, 2008. Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Photo: Mark J Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Despite reports he is retiring, NFL quarterback Tom Brady ‘has not made up his mind’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Photo: AP 

Tom Brady with the New England Patriots in 2006. Photo: Reuters 

New England Patriots’ Tom Brady, centre, celebrates winning the Super Bowl in 2019. Photo: Reuters

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Cornell Big Red quarterback Jameson Wang (16) dives for a touchdown. Wang could be one of the first Chinese-American quarterbacks to play in the NFL. Photo: Getty Images

Cornell Big Red quarterback Jameson Wang (16) waves to fans during a game. Photo: Getty Images

Sport

Other Sport

Legendary quarterback brings curtain down on glittering 22-season career in an emotional Instagram post
‘I am not going to make that competitive commitment any more,’ Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar says


Legendary quarterback says ‘it’s time to focus my energy on other things’ after bringing curtain down on 22-season career in emotional Instagram post.


Tom Brady

Kansas City Chiefs

Tom Brady confirms retirement: NFL icon ends ‘thrilling ride’, says ‘it’s time to focus on other things’

Legendary quarterback brings curtain down on glittering 22-season career in an emotional Instagram post ‘I am not going to make that competitive commitment any more,’ Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar says

Legendary quarterback brings curtain down on glittering 22-season career in an emotional Instagram post

‘I am not going to make that competitive commitment any more,’ Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar says