Tom Brady has come out of retirement less than two months after quitting the NFL.
‘These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,’ the champion quarterback announced on Twitter on Sunday.
‘That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.’
Brady led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title following the 2020 season and NFC South championship last season.
He spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowl titles before moving to Tampa Bay.
Tom Brady (pictured after his Super Bowl win last year) has come out of retirement less than two months after quitting the NFL.
He announced his decision on Twitter and Instagram, saying he has ‘unfinished business’
Brady made the announcement hours after posing for a photo with Manchester United soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo at the British team’s iconic Old Trafford stadium
The iconic quarterback, 44, brought the curtain down on a glittering 22-year career when he announced his retirement on February 1.
The quarterback stunned the world on Sunday when he confirmed he would be re-joining the Buccaneers for another campaign after 40 days in retirement.
However, his decision may not be that surprising considering just a week into his ‘retirement,’ Brady said ‘never say never’ about playing again.
He made the comeback announcement hours after sharing a photo of himself visiting Manchester United’s Old Trafford training ground in England, and meeting with the British team’s iconic striker Cristiano Ronaldo, himself a veteran sportsman widely-regarded as still being at the top of his game.
The 44-year-old led the NFL in yards passing (5,316), touchdowns (43), completions (485) and attempts (719) in 2021, but the Buccaneers lost at home to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.
Brady announced his decision to return to the Bucs one day before the NFL free agency period begins.
Brady announced his decision to retire last month, citing the desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children. Brady posted the above photo to Instagram on Sunday when he announced his return to the game
Brady announced his decision to return to the Bucs one day before the NFL free agency period begins. He included this photo in his Instagram post announcing his return
When he announced his retirement, Brady cited his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children when he decided to walk away from the game.
‘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 on February 1.
‘There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.’
‘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.’
He also thanked Bundchen and his children, saying they are his ‘inspiration’ and ‘greatest achievement.’
Just weeks after Brady announced his retirement, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the NFL superstar was set to act and produce in a football-themed road trip movie titled 80 For Brady.
He was expected to join forces with several acting legends including Rita Moreno, Sally Field, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin for the project.
The foursome of Hollywood icons would be playing four best friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their sports hero Brady play.
The film was inspired by a true story and will follow the chaos that happens as a result of the trip as they try to navigate their way to the biggest sporting event in America.
Brady – who led the New England Patriots to a comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons, 34-28 – was heavily involved with the inception of the project as he developed it with Donna Gigliotti.
The film will be directed by Kyle Marvin, who also co-wrote the script with Michael Covino. It is set to be made by Paramount Pictures and Endeavor Content.
Brady signed a one-year, $25 million contract extension after guiding the Bucs to a Super Bowl win last year. That deal included a $20 million signing bonus, $15 million of which would have been paid to him in February. The details of his deal for the 2022 season remain unclear
Brady signed a one-year, $25 million contract extension after guiding the Bucs to a Super Bowl win last year. That deal included a $20 million signing bonus, $15 million of which would have been paid to him in February.
The details of his deal for the 2022 season remain unclear.
Since being drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady has earned more than $292 million in salary over 22 seasons, according to Spotrac.
That does not include earnings from his fitness brand or his many endorsement deals with companies such as Subway and Under Armour, not to mention his recent foray into non-fungible tokens.
News of his return to the field was met with both support and sarcasm online.
‘He’s baaackkkk,’ the Buccaneers posted.
‘Damn, even Tom Brady saw 7.9% inflation and record-high gas prices and decided he needed to go back to work,’ tweeted Joe Pompliano, Founder of Huddle Up.
‘Tom Brady waking up and seeing nothing but another Parent-Teacher conference on the daily schedule,’ the Pat McAffee Show tweeted with a meme of The Office character Michael Scott shaking his head.
News of Brady’s return to the field was met with both support and sarcasm online
‘THANK YOU! Throw that last touchdown on somebody else,’ Los Angeles rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey tweeted.
‘Tom Brady just snatched March Madness away from twitter,’ added podcaster ‘Big Cat,’ real name Dan Katz.
Brady’s retirement U-turn announcement came one day after he watched Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Tottenham.
The quarterback was seen speaking to soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo after he scored a game-winning hat trick, which made him the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA history, and congratulated him.
Both the Red Devils and the Buccaneers are owned by the Glazer family, who Brady personally thanked in his retirement statement on February 1.
Brady’s retirement U-turn announcement came one day after he watched Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Tottenham. He was seen speaking to soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo after the game
Several Twitter users believe that Brady decided to come out of retirement after speaking to Ronaldo.
‘Saturday: Tom Brady watches Cristiano Ronaldo score a hat-trick, Sunday: Tom Brady announces he’s coming out of retirement,’ CBS Sports Golazo tweeted.
‘Give thanks to Cristiano for this!’ a fan added. ‘Brady went to see him and at 37 Ronaldo scored a hat trick. After he and Brady talked and I’m sure he convinced him to come back.’
‘Tom Brady really came out of retirement after talking to Ronaldo,’ another said.
‘@Cristiano has that affect on people!’ comedian Conor Moore tweeted.
One fan wondered: ‘What did Ronaldo say to Brady??’
‘If Tom Brady went to watch Messi instead of Ronaldo he’d still be in retirement,’ another joked.
Several Twitter users believe that Brady decided to come out of retirement after speaking to Ronaldo