In February of 2022, Tom Brady, quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced his retirement after playing 22 years in the NFL. 

Brady’s career began in 2000 when he was drafted for the New England Patriots. After being their 199th pick, Brady had to fight to be in the Patriot’s starting lineup. 

During the 2001 season, he was finally given a chance to play, when the team’s previous quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, became injured. At just 22 years, Brady took over that game and for the next 2 decades as the Patriots’ starting quarterback. 

After his retirement was right around the corner, Brady signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after playing for the New England Patriots for 20 years. 

“Along with the opportunity to win championships, the support of older teammates is an amazing part of playing for a team,” Brady wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “Doing whatever I can to help younger players evolve as people and players matters a lot to me. I’ve learned so much during my 20 years in New England—and I want to bring those things to a new team. Right now, though, I have things to prove to myself.”

In February of 2022, after two seasons with the Buccaneers, Brady’s career ended with seven Super Bowl titles and 17 division titles. From dedicating all his time to football, Brady was compelled to spend more time with his wife, Gisele Bündchen, and his three children.

“I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions,” Brady announced on an Instagram post. “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.”

At 44 years, Brady was the oldest active NFL player making his retirement easily foreseen. Despite his age, his commitment to his family was the largest factor in his retirement.

“I think the choice is, everything certainly comes at a cost, and the cost is, ‘What am I missing out on other aspects of my life?'” Brady said in a public interview. 

Despite his statement of retiring, after only 40 days of not working, however, Tom Brady couldn’t bear to be a spectator so he called it quits. 

“These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady announced on social media. “. That time will come. But it’s not now.”

“I’m so proud of you, and of everything you have had to overcome physically and emotionally over the years,” said Gisele Bündchen, Brady’s wife of 13 years. “I am in awe of your dedication, and of everything you have achieved.”

Within this short amount of time, Tom Brady shocked the NFL world, once again, by deciding to come out of retirement. Is this his final season?  With Tom Brady, the question always remains unanswered.

“I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa,” said Brady on Instagram. “We have unfinished business.”