Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has announced his retirement from the NFL after 23 seasons.
The 45-year-old, whose career spanned two decades with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, confirmed his decision in a video posted to social media. It comes one year after he announced his retirement only to reverse it 40 days later.
Brady spent 20 seasons with the Patriots, winning six Super Bowls as well as three MVP awards as he anchored the Pats dynasty alongside head coach Bill Belichick and owner Rob Kraft. He won Super Bowl LV with the Bucs and led them to the playoffs in each of his three seasons.
In the video posted to his social media, Brady said: "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 I woke up this morning I figured I'd just press record and let you guys know first so, it 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 for supporting me. My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors - I could go on forever, there's too many.
"Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn't change a thing. Love you all."
Brady’s Buccaneers were comprehensively defeated 31-14 by the Dallas Cowboys to end his 23rd NFL season at the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. As he left the field, Brady doffed his cap to the fans and kissed his parents before disappearing down the Raymond James Stadium tunnel, suggesting he was set to walk away.
In his third season with the Bucs, Brady passed for 4,694 yards - the third-most in the NFL - and 25 touchdowns, so he is clearly still capable. The seven-time Super Bowl champion also set NFL records for the most pass attempts (733) and completions (490) in a single season in league history.
Brady retires as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, pass attempts, completions, wins, and Super Bowl victories, as well as almost every meaningful postseason record. Earlier this year, Fox Sports announced Brady would join the network as a lead analyst following his retirement, signing a 10-year contract worth $375 million (£306m).
It remains to be seen if he will make his broadcast debut during Super Bowl LVII on February 12 when the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs clash for the Lombardi Trophy in Arizona.
