The career of the immense Tom Brady therefore ended on Sunday with a defeat in Tampa Bay. The American football superstar, considered the best player in the history of flagship sport in the United States, formalized his retirement on Tuesday after 22 seasons at the highest level for seven Superbowls (a record). “I loved my career in the NFL [la ligue professionnelle nord-américaine, ndlr], and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention,” explains the 44-year-old star in a message on Instagram.
The rumor had already been circulating for several days. This weekend, the potential retirement of Tom Brady had panicked the sports media around the world. When some had assured that the legend would no longer drive back American lawns, his relatives had continued to say that no decision had been made. His company, “TB12 Sports”, had published a tweet paying tribute to him… before quickly removing it.
Rain of tributes
Tributes have been raining for several days in the American night. “All those moments, all those memories. Thank you for everything Tom”tweeted the NFL, attaching the initials “GOAT”, acronym “The Greatest of All Time” (the best of all time), and a list of his accomplishments next to his name.
“Thank you for everything big brother, it was an honor”wrote on this same social network Mike Evans, his teammate at the Bucs. “The best of all time”Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin tweeted. “Thanks for the memories, baby!” wrote Julian Edelman, his former New England teammate and longtime friend.
More title than any team
By stopping his career, the NFL is suffering the blow of a second resounding retirement in a few days, after that of another legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, twice winner of the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that of Brady will certainly have a much greater impact in the world of American football. Because the handsome kid known for his jargon in the interview is not just anyone.
His career is above all a story worthy of a well-cliched Hollywood film. That of a type gone from the 199th choice of the draft in 2000 to become the ultimate winner, without necessarily being the most talented or the most powerful of his peers. At the start of his career, Tom “Terrific” has seven Super Bowls to his credit, more titles than any NFL franchise. Even if it means talking about figures that rank him among the demigods of American football, it should also be noted that he delivered 21 passes bringing a touchdown during his ten Super Bowls, more than the second and third combined in this ranking.
In 2020, the quarterback had left the Patriots, after twenty years of an already sensational career, to join the Buccaneers, then one of the weakest teams in the NFL, which had not qualified for the play-offs since 2007. The beautiful story had continued, forging a little more, if it was still necessary, his legend: against all odds, the quarterback had led them to the top, beating the Kansas City Chiefs, then putting on his seventh ring in ten finals.
Chasing an eighth title – a second with the Buccaneers – he saw his dream come crashing down last Sunday in a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, despite an incredible comeback as his team trailed 27-3 in the third quarter. This will have been his last stand. A cruel defeat for an outstanding winner.
Update : this Tuesday at 4:21 p.m., with the formalization of Brady’s retirement.