NFL legend Tom Brady has put to bed, once again, the idea that he’ll be returning to the football field in 2023.
“I’m certain I’m not playing again,” said Brady in an interview with Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated. “I’ve tried to make that clear, and I hate to continue to profess that because I’ve already told people that lots of times.”
Ever since Brady announced his retirement in February, it’s been talked about over and over again that the seven-time Super Bowl champion will once again return to the gridiron. That idea bubbled up again last week when the contract between the Raiders and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was made public.
The three-year, $67.5 million deal was found to have an addendum included that states the contract will void should he not pass a physical. Garoppolo, who has an injury-riddled past, suffered a foot injury last season that he’s still recovering from.
BetOnline listed odds when this news broke on who will be Las Vegas’ starting quarterback for Week 1 should it not be Garoppolo — Brady was the favorite at 2/1.
Speaking of the Raiders, Brady is in the process of purchasing a minority stake in the team from owner Mark Davis. The former quarterback listed this as one of the many reasons why he won’t be returning to the playing field.
“I’m looking forward to my broadcasting job at FOX next year,” Brady said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity ahead with the Raiders, and we’re in the process of that, along with the other different things that I’m a part of professionally and in my personal life.
“Just spending as much time with my kids as I can. Seeing them grow up and support the different things that they have going on. That’s a very important job and I take them all pretty seriously.”
Brady is also expected to be in Foxboro for the Patriots’ week one matchup vs. the Eagles, where Robert Kraft announced last month that they’ll honor him and his illustrious career with a ceremony on the field at Gillette Stadium during halftime.
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