It might be easier to list the accomplishments Tom Brady didn't achieve than to list all the ones he did.
Twenty-two seasons. Seven Super Bowls. The only quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP for two different franchises. The only quarterback to win a Super Bowl in three different decades. The most passing yards in NFL history. The most completions in NFL history. The most touchdown passes, games started, Pro Bowl selections, quarterbacks wins, regular season wins, playoff wins, Super Bowl MVP awards. Not a single losing season as a starter. The oldest player to win Super Bowl MVP. The only QB on not one but two different NFL All-Decade Teams.
Not bad for a kid drafted in the sixth round, 199th overall, who was expected to be a backup quarterback throughout his career.
On Tuesday morning, Brady made his retirement official, posting a notice to social media that he has decided to focus his commitment to other areas of his life.
A number of NFL reporters announced Brady's retirement decision on Saturday, leading to the belief that the former Patriot turned Buccaneer had reached a decision. But, hours later, Brady informed Tampa Bay that he had yet to reach a decision and was still "going through the process." Later in the day, Brady's father was reported to have told local media that he was not retiring, leading to confusion about Brady's future.
But the mystery was solved this morning when the post went up.
Brady said the decision was a difficult one, but that he has decided to focus his time and energy "on other things" that require attention. Shortly after losing the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, Brady mentioned that he planned on doing more to "be the husband my wife deserves and the father my children deserve."
Where the Buccaneers decide to go from here, as well as the future of Bruce Arians, are obviously up in the air.