A once in a generation quarterback calls it a career

After an illustrious career, former New England Patriots/Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and Bay Area native Tom Brady has decided to retire after 22 consecutive seasons.

Brady played at the highest level for a long time, becoming a role model for many NFL superstars today. “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,” Brady explained in his Instagram post.

Brady grew up loving the 49ers, hoping he would play for them one day. He had a chance to go and retire from football with the 49ers during the start of the 2020-2021 NFL season. However, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to go with Brady’s former backup, Jimmy Garappolo. The 49ers finished 6-10 that season, Brady finished the season 11-5, and a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady was selected in the sixth round and 199th in the 2000 NFL draft and was the 6th QB in that draft class. The Patriots drafted him where he backed up three-time Pro Bowler Drew Bledsoe.
He went on to play 20 seasons for the New England Patriots, playing a pivotal role in the dynasty that resulted in six super bowl wins, nine AFC championship wins, and 219 winning games for the franchise (the most by any player in league history).

After his time with the Patriots, Brady announced his decision to enter free agency and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 20, 2020. Brady signed a two year-50 million dollar deal with the team.

With the Buccaneers, he took the league by storm, having a 4,000 yard passing season and 40 passing touchdowns. Brady with a healthy offensive line, two Pro Bowl receivers, his old pal Rob Gronkowski, and former 4th overall draft pick Leonard Fournette. It seemed as if it was a foregone conclusion Brady would make the 2020-2021 NFL playoffs and win his 7th and final ring.

Brady went on to win three road games (some that included Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers) being the first QB ever to play and win a Superbowl in their home stadium.

Brady has become the class of the league and has shown what a true competitor is both on and off the field. He leaves with his mark on the game, being the league’s number one in all-time passing yards (84,520), all-time passing touchdowns (624), and the only player in NFL history to have seven Super Bowl rings.

Brady retires as the greatest of all time and leaves no question as to whether his career is first ballot hall of fame worthy or not.