Tom Brady sends message to Gisele, officially puts the rumours to bed

After all the whispering and rumours, Tom Brady has confirmed the biggest bombshell of the NFL season with a lengthy Instagram post.

NFL icon Tom Brady confirmed his retirement from the sport on Wednesday, officially bringing the curtain down on a glittering 22-season career.

The 44-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in history, made the announcement in a post on Instagram.

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Brady, winner of a record seven Super Bowls, said he was quitting the sport after deciding he could no longer make the “competitive commitment” to continue.

“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition — if a 100 per cent competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady wrote.

“There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge every single day that has allowed me to maximise my highest potential.

“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore.

“I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”

Brady’s announcement draws a line under three days of feverish speculation that he was preparing to call time on his career.

News of his imminent retirement had been reported by ESPN citing multiple sources close to the player on Sunday. However, Brady did not comment, with other reports saying he had not decided one way or another.

On Tuesday, the former New England Patriots star had been coy during an appearance on his own podcast, saying he was considering his future on a day-to-day basis.

“I think when the time’s right I’ll be ready to make a decision one way or another, just like I said last week,” he said.

Tom Brady is saying goodbye. (Photo by Timothy A. Clary / AFP)

But those remarks turned out be just one final piece of misdirection from the veteran signal-caller, a five-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and three-time NFL season MVP with a record tally of 243 regular-season victories.

Brady set NFL career passing records with 7263 completions on 11,317 attempts for 84,520 yards and 624 touchdowns.

The bulk of his career was spent with the New England Patriots, where he won six Super Bowls in tandem with head coach Bill Belichick. Brady did not mention the Patriots or Belichick in his farewell message.

Brady added an improbable seventh Super Bowl to his collection in 2021 after opting to join Tampa Bay in 2020. He led the Buccaneers back into the playoffs this season, but they exited in the divisional round with a 30-27 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

“My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far beyond my imagination, and full of ups and downs,” Brady said on Wednesday.

“When you’re in it every day, you really don’t think about any kind of ending. As I sit here now, however, I think of all the great players and coaches I was privileged to play with and against — the competition was fierce and deep, JUST HOW WE LIKE IT.

“I will remember and cherish these memories and re-visit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”

The football icon also paid tribute to his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and family.

“Our family is my greatest achievement,” he wrote. “I always came off the field and home to the most loving and supportive wife who has done EVERYTHING for our family to allow me to focus on my career.

“Her selflessness allowed me to reach new heights professionally, and I am beyond words what you mean to me and our family.”

His family, including supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen, are a big reason he’s decided to retire. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images/AFP

Gisele has been his rock. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/AFP

Farewell to the greatest quarterback in history. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Messages of congratulation beneath the Instagram post read like a who’s who of the sporting world, with many saluting Brady as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) or using a goat emoji.

“Get your butt up and do one more year,” joked NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal, before adding: “Love u bro. Absolute joy to watch.”

Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps added: “Congrats bro! Enjoy the next chapter.” Tennis star Naomi Osaka, former world footballer of the year Kaka and England soccer captain Harry Kane were among other athletes congratulating Brady.

“Congratulations on an incredible career @TomBrady. Your drive, passion and commitment is inspiring,” Kane tweeted. “You’re the main reason I started following the sport and love the @NFL. Thank you!”

Brady’s ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, also congratulated the 44-year-old, with whom she shares 14-year-old son Jack.

“So proud of @tombrady. Yesterday and today and I know you will do great things tomorrow. Looking forward to the next steps,” Moynahan wrote.

Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady dated for three years and have a son together. (Photo by Barry King/WireImage)

Moynahan is looking forward to Brady’s next steps. (Photo by Gregory Pace/FilmMagic)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, meanwhile, paid tribute to Brady as “one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL”.

“An incredible competitor and leader, his stellar career is remarkable for its longevity but also for the sustained excellence he displayed year after year,” Goodell said.

“Tom made everyone around him better and always seemed to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments. It has been a privilege to watch him compete and have him in the NFL.” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians meanwhile said Brady joined the team in 2020 as “the greatest football player of all time”.

“He quickly showed everyone in our organisation what that meant,” Arian said. “He set a standard and helped create a culture that took our team to the mountaintop.”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Brady’s career had been a “dream come true” for fans of the franchise.

“You didn’t have to be a Patriots fan to respect and appreciate his competitiveness, determination and will to win that fuelled his success,” Kraft said in a statement. “As a fan of football, it was a privilege to watch.”

It was quite the ride.

Thank you and congratulations, @TomBrady. pic.twitter.com/0gPwUROEkz

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2022