The most successful quarterback in Superbowl history announced his retirement on 1 February. A month and a half later, he has reversed his decision and will play a 23rd season.
Some sportsmen have a hard time digesting the end of their career, “the little death”. At 44, superstar Tom Brady has found a surprising remedy: a real fake retirement. A month and a half after announcing the end of his sporting career, the most successful quarterback in Superbowl history announced the exact opposite on 13rd of March.
“In the last two months, I’ve realized that I still belong on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now,” the seven-time Super Bowl winner wrote on Twitter. “I love my teammates, and I love my family who supports me. Without them, none of this is possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa Bay. We have a job to do” continued Brady, who did not wait long to reverse his decision.
“I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa Bay. We have a job to do […]”
—Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback via Twitter)
“He’s baaackkkk” – “he’s coming back!!!” – The Buccs franchise was ecstatic on its social networks, with coach Bruce Arians expressing his “total excitement” at the idea of reuniting with his playmaker, who was eliminated from the last playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams, winners of the Super Bowl in February.
Brady had won the trophy for the 7th time a year earlier, crowning his Floridian adventure with a success that was as immediate as it was unexpected, after 20 seasons of dominating the league with the New England Patriots (six titles in nine finals).
The quarterback – named Super Bowl MVP five times and regular season MVP three times – holds a host of records, including the most touchdown passes (624), passing yards (84,520) and regular season wins (243).
Brady is determined to do even better, honouring the last year of his contract with the Buccaneers until 2023, which he has probably not broken despite announcing his retirement. It is further proof that he was reserving the possibility of following through on his oft expressed wish to play until the age of 45. In 22 seasons, the California native has won everything several times and defied the laws of a professional sport that is destructive to the body with his longevity.
