Tom Brady’s second retirement announcement came like a thief in the night on Wednesday morning.
Some were on their first cup of coffee, while others were just waking up and wiping the crust from their eyes, when it was revealed that the former New England Patriots quarterback was hanging up his helmet and shoulder pads. And this time, it’s “for good.”
Brady put out a video across his social media accounts and announced he was walking away from the sport of football. His retirement comes exactly a year to the date of his first retirement in 2022.
But somehow, this one feels different.
Brady seems at peace with his decision, and the cracks in his voice make it clear that this one hurt. Maybe it hurts because it really is real this time.
Truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2s2sezvSS
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2023
Twitter has been flooded with a wide range of reactions, following Brady’s retirement. Here’s what people are saying.
Greatest of All Time.
No question, no debate.
It’s been an honor and a privilege.
🐐
PS – The newly retired group meets on the golf course every morning at 10am. Drinks are on the new guy, so bring your wallet. https://t.co/rjPx7bQa6u
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 1, 2023
I got to witness greatness daily for years and I’m thankful for that 🐐 @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/DF3llCfFgj
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) February 1, 2023
Congrats @TomBrady on an unbelievable career. It was fun to watch! https://t.co/zkobgugR52
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) February 1, 2023
Five years ago, having watched all the games, looked at all the data, historical precedent and trends and *confidently* said Tom Brady was done.
He played five more years and won two more Super Bowls, and nearly won another MVP.
A truly legendary & unprecedented run. 🫡
— nick wright (@getnickwright) February 1, 2023
Raiders seeing Tom Brady announced his retirement pic.twitter.com/gFMtEZZBEp
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) February 1, 2023
Watching Tom Brady get choked up announcing his retirement nearly brought me to tears. We’ll miss you GOAT 🥹🥹🥹pic.twitter.com/fke7UD0eFg
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) February 1, 2023
. @TomBrady it was a pleasure and honor to watch and cover your career… pic.twitter.com/ntsqnK9OQG
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) February 1, 2023
7 Super Bowl wins
5 Super Bowl MVPs
3 NFL MVPs
15 Pro Bowls
6 All Pros
Most career wins
Most career passing yards
Most career passing TD
Made the playoffs in 20 of 21 seasons as a starter
Most clutch player everCongrats to Tom Brady, the 🐐🐐🐐
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 1, 2023
BREAKING: Tom Brady announces he is officially retiring. pic.twitter.com/9nJYyk5H9p
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) February 1, 2023
For 20+ years Tom Brady (@TomBrady) haunted #Jets fans so I only have one thing to say upon his retirement… again: pic.twitter.com/ylv0y3B5FZ
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) February 1, 2023
Truly an incredible career, @TomBrady.
The undisputed GOAT 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Y0hs8i7R7d
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) February 1, 2023
Thank you for all memories, @TomBrady.
Truly the 🐐 of 🐐s.
It’s the end of an era.
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) February 1, 2023
Tom Brady was in the NFL 23 years. Barely played as a rookie and in 2008, so 21 full seasons. Divide his career into thirds, and each of those seven-season segments is a Hall of Fame career on its own. There's nothing like that in NFL history.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) February 1, 2023
Thanks for pushing me everyday this season mentally and physically to get back on the field. I'm glad I was able to take the field with you one last time! Enjoy retirement, don't dog me too much in the booth. Love ya man! @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/Q3G5eoTJgc
— Ryan Jensen (@sinjen66) February 1, 2023
Bucs fans seeing that Tom Brady retired pic.twitter.com/5CKc3uFf2y
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 1, 2023
Tom Brady signing with the Raiders after 6 weeks of trying to spend time with his family pic.twitter.com/AigiyqX7Vi
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) February 1, 2023
Tom Brady won his first and last Super Bowls 19 years apart. There have only been 20 other players total in the history of the game to just play that many seasons, period.
With Brady, it’s the duration as much as it’s the peak. One-of-one, we’ll never see anyone like him again. pic.twitter.com/KHj9YHQqjY
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) February 1, 2023
cut his career in half and @TomBrady would make the NFL Hall of Fame TWICE 🐐 pic.twitter.com/PpB4BOZJlf
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) February 1, 2023
“It’s not just sports news, it’s American history.”@KyleBrandt reflects on the career of Tom Brady from Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/FvDTqXj2aS
— Kyle Brandt’s Basement (@KBBasement) February 1, 2023
Congratulations @TomBrady on an incredible career & we enjoyed your time in #ChampaBay 🏆 @Buccaneers
See you in Canton in 5 years! 🏈 @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/2PevnHdy56
— Derrick Brooks (@DBrooks55) February 1, 2023
This is how long Tom Brady played in the NFL 😳 pic.twitter.com/MRmjHo9ApU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 1, 2023
In what he says will be his final NFL season in 2022, Tom Brady set an NFL record for the most attempts (733) and most completions (490) in a season. Even at 45 years old, he was no caretaker. He did not stumble to the finish line. He was his team's top player until the very end.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) February 1, 2023
Thank you @TomBrady !!!
🐐 🐐 🐐 #goat pic.twitter.com/ngsSzGpBDn
— Jason McCourty (@JasonMcCourty) February 1, 2023
Love ya bro❤️ it was a pleasure! https://t.co/MilAiUjy2r
— James White (@SweetFeet_White) February 1, 2023
Tom Brady joins the boys. Happy retirement!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/O0QzHyRHbk
— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 1, 2023
Good for @TomBrady for being the one to announce his own major life decision. You can tell that was a priority for the G.O.A.T this time around, & a big irritant for him last year.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 1, 2023
