TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady is retiring.
In a tweet posted Wednesday morning, an emotional Brady announced he is retiring “for good.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback offered thanks to fans, teammates, competitors and his family in announcing his decision to retire. The announcement seemingly ends the playing career of a man widely considered to be the greatest NFL quarterback of all time after 23 seasons.
He's the only player to win more than five Super Bowls and has been MVP of the game five times. Brady has been a first-team All-Pro three times, a second-team All-Pro three times and selected to the Pro Bowl 15 times.
The announcement comes a year after Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, announced his retirement, only to come back 40 days later saying he was “happy to be back.”
The happiness did not last long, however.
Brady, 45, missed 11 days of training camp for personal reasons, and under new coach Todd Bowles and without tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Bucs could not find the magic that led them to a Super Bowl title in 2021. Even though they won the NFC South, the Bucs struggled to an 8-9 record before losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Off the field, 2022 was a tumultuous year, too. Brady and wife and supermodel Gisele Bundchen announced their divorce in October after 13 years of marriage. She reportedly was not happy when Brady decided to return to the NFL for the 2022 season, but it is unclear if that played a role in the divorce.
The NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (89.214) and touchdown passes (649). Brady passed for 4,694 yards -- third most in the NFL -- and 25 touchdowns this past season, his third with the Bucs.
A 3-time NFL MVP, Brady led the New England Patriots for 20 seasons, winning six championships.
"I'll get to the point, right away — I'm retiring, for good,” Brady said in his tweeted video, captured on a beach. “Really, thank you guys so much to every single one of you guys for supporting me — my family, my friends, teammates, my competitors. I could go on forever. There's too many."
"Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream," he added. "I wouldn't change a thing. I love you all."
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.