Superstar quarterback Tom Brady has announced he is retiring "for good" from football.
Brady, 45, initially retired last February, but changed his mind 40 days later and returned to play the 2022 season with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady has taken to social media to say the following in a video: "Good morning, guys. I'll get to the point right away. I'm retiring for good.
"I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I'd just press record and let you guys know first. I won't be longwinded.
"You only get one super emotional retirement essay and I used mine up last year, so really thank you guys so much to every single one of you for supporting me.
"My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors - I could go on forever, there's too many," said Brady, fighting back tears. "Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream.
"I wouldn't change a thing. Love you all."
Brady concludes one of the most decorated NFL careers with numerous records. He owns the most Super Bowl championships (seven), most regular-season wins by a quarterback (251), most postseason wins by a quarterback (35), most passes completed (7753), most pass attempts (12,050), most passing yards (89,214) and most passing touchdowns (649).
Spotrac lists Brady as the highest-earning NFL player of all-time, counting onfield earnings only, at US$333 million (NZ$516.7m). Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (US$306M) and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (US$301M) are next.
He played in the Super Bowl 10 times - or 18 percent of all Super Bowls to date - was a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player and a 15-time Pro Bowl selection.
Brady spent his first 20 seasons with New England Patriots, then joined the Buccaneers before the 2020 season and led them to a Super Bowl championship in his first campaign.
Not including the injury-shortened 2008 season, Brady led his team to the playoffs in 20 of his 21 seasons as a starter and each of his three years with the Buccaneers.
In 2021, he led the NFL in passing yards (5316) and passing touchdowns (43). He had 4694/25 in 2022, as the Buccaneers finished 8-9.
Tampa Bay made the playoffs as champions of the weak NFC South and lost in the opening wild-card round to Dallas Cowboys.
As for what's next for Brady, he signed a 10-year, US$375 million (NZ$582m) broadcasting contract with FOX, announced in May 2022.
Brady becomes eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028, when recently retired defensive end JJ Watt would also be on his first ballot for Canton.
The Hall of Fame notes where Brady's career accomplishments stand at the time of his retirement announcement and there is little doubt he'll be a unanimous selection.
Reuters
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