Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady announced his retirement — again — on Wednesday. The seven-time Super Bowl champion says it’s “for good” this time. How can we make sure Brady stays retired?
Did Tom Brady Really Retire?
“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,” Brady said in a video on Twitter. “I won’t be long-winded. 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.”
Truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2s2sezvSS
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2023
Brady informed the Buccaneers of his decision early Wednesday morning before posting the video.
#ThankYouTom 🙏🐐 pic.twitter.com/VTOYBpAk2R
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 1, 2023
Tom Brady Is The GOAT
First, let’s get the adulation out of the way. Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time.
He won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady ends his career as the NFL’s leader in career passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649). He’s a five-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time league MVP, six-time All-Pro, and 15-time Pro Bowl pick.
Is he the greatest NFL player ever? Jerry Rice and Jim Brown may have something to say about that. But Brady is on the short list.
Tom Brady Needs To Stay Retired
Regardless, he needs to stay retired. We don’t need another comeback story from a 45-year-old that’s accomplished all he has.
Family Time
Brady just went through a public divorce with supermodel Gisele Bündchen, after 13 years of marriage. He needs time to process and heal from that situation. He has three kids that he might want to spend more time with now that he’s not consumed by playing NFL football.
The risk isn’t worth it
Part of the reason Brady’s marriage failed was Bündchen’s concern over his long-term health. American football is a violent game. Brady’s earned well over $300 million on the field and countless millions off the field in endorsements. It’s time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Why try and play again and risk catastrophic injury? He’s got too much good going on away from the field.
The 31 NFL teams need to resist the urge to call, text, or reach out to gauge his interest in playing again. Save that man from himself.
There’s always TV
If Brady is so addicted to the game that he can’t leave it alone he could head to the broadcast booth like many QBs before him have done. A seven-time Super Bowl champion that just retired is exactly what makes NFL broadcast booths so good. You’ll have the greatest QB ever telling you why decisions are being made, why mistakes happen, what players/coaches can do to adjust etc.
Brady can immediately begin working as an analyst for Fox Sports, which signed him to a 10-year, $375 million contract this past summer. He also has his own clothing line and his health and wellness brand called TB12 Sports. Like many modern athletes, he also founded his own production company, 199 Productions.
“My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors — I could go on forever, there’s too many,” Brady said in the video. “Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. Love you all.”
A tip of the cap to the greatest QB in NFL history. Now it’s time to stay retired and be great at something else.
