Famed NFL Quarterback Tom Brady Retires (Again)

Tom Brady, widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, and one of the most famous athletes ever in the US, has retired for a second time. The first-ballot Hall of Famer completed his 23rd season in the NFL with a Wild Card playoff exit after posting decent (but comparatively subpar) stats throughout the year.

Brady made the announcement via his Twitter account, saying that he is retiring “for good” this time. The famed QB first announced his exit from the league last year before reneging on his decision just 40 days later. Brady holds major NFL passing records in many statistical categories, including overall passing yards, total passing TDs, games started, overall record, and number of completions. He also has seven Super Bowl wins–the closest QBs are Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with four each.

Brady’s return to the sport in 2022 made waves far beyond the world of football, especially after he and his wife of 13 years–world-famous model Gisele Bündchen–announced their divorce in October 2022. In the 2022-2023 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled, posting Brady’s first losing record ever, though the team was able to make the playoffs.

Brady broke the NFL record for most completions and most pass attempts in a single season, a reflection of the team’s poor ground game. Brady is best-known for spending 18 seasons as the starter for the New England Patriots, appearing in nine Super Bowls and winning six in what is considered the sport’s greatest-ever dynasty.