Tom Brady Retires From Football (Again)
Today marks the end of an era, as Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after 23 seasons. During those 23 years, he accomplished something that no other player in NFL history has ever done—winning 7 Super Bowls.
Let’s take a closer look at TB12’s remarkable career and why he will be remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks, football players, and even athletes of all time.
The Road to Greatness
Tom Brady’s incredible career trajectory has been inspiring to many. After being drafted in 2000 as a late-round selection (pick 199), he immediately made an impact with the Patriots when starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured during a game against the Jets.
He’d go on to help lead the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles between 2002 and 2004, cementing his footing among NFL greats before his 29th birthday. Despite an injury in 2008 that left many wondering if he had seen his best days, Brady quickly recovered and came back even better than before.
He’d end up winning four more Super Bowls, solidifying him as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Accolades Throughout His Career
Tom Brady holds numerous records for completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, and quarterback wins for both regular season and postseason play combined. But more impressive than these stats are Brady’s longevity and consistency; few players have remained at such a high level of play for so long. It may be a while before we see another quarterback like him come around again.
What Made Tom Brady So Successful?
They say hard work pays off, and Tom Brady is living proof. His incredible career in the NFL has cemented him as one of the greatest athletes of all time, revolutionizing football and inspiring generations of players and fans. But how did he do it? How does the 199th overall draft pick become the GOAT in their sport?
Reason 1: Training & Hard Work
Tom Brady is renowned for his disciplined training approach and commitment to hard work. From an early age, he was dedicated to achieving excellence in every aspect of his life. This same drive was evident throughout his college career when he worked tirelessly on improving his skills on and off the field.
As a professional athlete, he spends countless hours practicing and studying the game to prepare for any situation. His dedication to training is one of the biggest reasons he’s been able to remain at the top of his game for so long.
Reason 2: Mental Toughness
Tom Brady is a very mentally tough individual who isn’t afraid to fail or make mistakes. He understands that failure can teach you more than success can, so he never shies away from difficult tasks or challenges.
His mental toughness helps him stay focused on the task, even when things don’t go according to plan. This allows him to remain calm under pressure and continue fighting despite any setbacks or obstacles that come his way.
Brady also understands how important it is to care for himself mentally and physically. He practices meditation and stress management techniques regularly to stay focused and clear-headed during games, which has helped him maintain an elite level of performance throughout his career.
Reason 3: Leadership & Team Chemistry
Brady is also an outstanding leader who has helped create an atmosphere of success for his teams over the years. He has a knack for bringing out the best in people and creating a positive team chemistry that breeds success. His ability to motivate those around him is second to none, resulting in big wins and championships during his time at Michigan, New England, and Tampa Bay.
Tom Brady’s Impact on the Patriots Franchise
The Patriots experienced unprecedented success as an organization during Brady’s tenure. From 2001 to 2019, they won 17 division titles and appeared in 13 conference championship games, something that no other team can claim.
This continued success, along with Tom Brady’s individual accomplishments, has cemented their place among the NFL’s most successful franchises. Despite winning a Super Bowl title with Tampa Bay at age 43, he will forever be remembered as a Patriot first and foremost due to all he accomplished while wearing their colors throughout his career.
According to Forbes, the franchise is worth 6.4 billion dollars, which can be attributed to the success the team had during Brady’s tenure.
His Legacy To Football
Tom Brady will go down as one of the most influential figures in football history due to his impact on how coaches approach offense and defense throughout the league. His strategic use of short passes, ball placement, release time, and quick decisions changed how quarterbacks were viewed by opposing defenses.
What’s Next For Tom Brady?
While many are disappointed to see him go, it presents an opportunity to explore a range of possibilities that could be on Brady’s horizon post-football, including potential business opportunities, philanthropy work, and a career in the broadcast booth and NFL media.
Broadcasting Career
Last year Tom Brady signed a record-breaking 10-year, 375 million dollar deal with FOX to become their lead color commentator. With Brady’s excellent track record of top performances in big games, FOX anticipates that he will be able to bring some unique perspective and insight to the broadcast booth.
TB12 has also been involved in numerous TV and side projects, like his documentary series “Tom vs. Time” and his weekly “Let’s Go!” podcast with Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray. So don’t be shocked if we see more documentaries, mini-series, and podcasts featuring the GOAT.
Business Ventures
His TB12 brand sells fitness equipment and nutrition products, and he also owns stakes in several companies like Aston Martin and Under Armour. With his newfound free time, we’ll likely see Brady expand his business interests even further and become even more involved with these ventures.
Brady could also use his platform to create new opportunities for himself and others. He has already expressed interest in investing in renewable energy initiatives, which could be an area where he can make an impact beyond football.
Philanthropy
Brady will continue to focus on philanthropic efforts through his family foundation—the TB12 Foundation—which has already done tremendous work over the past few years providing health and wellness resources to athletes. This is where he can continue to make a difference while enjoying some of the benefits associated with being an NFL legend.
Conclusion
Tom Brady is an athlete who will go down in the history books and be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. His long career that started in 2000 and included numerous achievements, most notably seven Super Bowl victories, 15 Pro Bowl appearances, 5 Super Bowl MVP awards, and more than 89,000 career passing yards, certainly justifies this claim.
His ability to remain competitive over time, playing at the highest level for almost two decades despite his advancing age, stands testament to Brady’s incomparable athleticism and strong work ethic. Simply put, Tom Brady is a legend among athletes and will be remembered forever as one of the best to play the game.
Have a Happy Retirement, Tom!
