San Francisco Frontiers - Brady confirms retirement, ends 'thrilling ride'

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% competitive commitment isn't there, you won't succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game," Brady wrote.

"There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge every single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential...

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

"I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention."

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.

- 'A thrilling ride' -

"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 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 re-visit 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 organization 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 honor 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."

Z.Phillips--SFF