At around 8:15 on February 1st, 2023 NFL QB Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after twenty-three seasons in the NFL at the age of 45. Brady is widely regarded as the “GOAT” of the NFL, and it’s surreal to finally see him hang up the cleats. Brady had a successful career, winning a league record seven Super Bowls, and leading the NFL in all-time passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Tom Brady started his career after being drafted in the sixth round (199th overall) by the New England Patriots. Brady started his career as a backup quarterback, until starter Drew Bledsoe went down with a severe lung injury in 2001, giving him the chance to start a game. Brady proved he belonged in the starting spot and went on to start for the Pats from 2001 up until 2007. He would win 3 Super Bowls and an MVP within that time. 

In 2007 Brady did the impossible, leading the New England Patriots to be the first-ever 16-0 team. He would ultimately win MVP that season, with 4,806 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions. The patriots looked unstoppable, winning in the divisional and championship rounds. They would end up in the Super Bowl and were set to face the 10-6 underdog New York Giants. The Giants would then end up shocking the world, beating the “perfect” Patriots, and ending their run. 

In 2008 Tom Brady suffered a season-ending torn ACL, but bounced back quickly in 2009 and had a good season. Brady would go on to lead the Patriots to six more Super Bowl appearances and won three of them within the span of eleven seasons with the Patriots. He would also win two more league MVPs (2010, 2017).

In 2020, Brady hit the Free Agency market. After some speculation of retirement, he decided to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He led them to a Super Bowl in his first season, beating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9, winning his 7th career Super Bowl ring. He would then play 2 more seasons with the Bucs, making the playoffs both times but failing to make it to the Super Bowl. The 2022 season marked his first ever losing season, finishing 8-9, yet he still managed to squeak into the 4th seed of the NFC. Brady got blown out in his final game against the Dallas Cowboys with a final of 31-14. He announced his retirement, leaving the NFL world speechless. 

Many would say Brady finished his career as the greatest to ever do it. He leads the NFL in many categories, Super Bowl Appearances (10), Super Bowl Wins (7), Super Bowl MVP (5), Most Passing Yards (89,214), Most Passing TD (649), Most Pro Bowls (15), and Most Games Won (251).