Seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady has announced his retirement after a trophy-laden 22-year career.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB explained his decision in a lengthy post on his Instagram account.
"I have always believed the sport of football is an 'all-in' proposition -- if a 100% competitive commitment isn't there, you won't succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game," Brady wrote on Instagram.
"There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.
"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. I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it's best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes."
Brady's playing career in the NFL has been one of a Hollywood fairytale. After being picked by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of 2000's NFL Draft, not even the most knowledgeable of analysts could have envisaged what would happen next.
After being named the Patriots starter in 2001 after Drew Bledsoe suffered a career-ending injury, Brady went onto win six Super Bowls with the Patriots before making the move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020 where he won his seventh Vince Lombardi trophy.
What made the future Hall-of-Famer so special was that his skills never dimmed despite his age. Brady surpassed plenty of NFL legends before him when it came to length of playing career and he was still ruthless as ever during this season. The 44-year-old led the league in passing yards (5,316), touchdowns (43), completions (485) and attempts (719).
In addition to his record number of Super Bowl titles won as a player, Brady holds the record for career passing TDs (624) and career passing yards (84,250).
The five-time Super Bowl MVP finished his statement by describing his career as a 'thrilling ride' and labelled himself the 'luckiest person in the world'.
"My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far beyond my imagination, and full of ups and downs," Brady said in his statement. "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. But the friendships and relationships are just as fierce and deep. I will remember and cherish these memories and re-visit them often. I feel like the luckiest person in the world."
While there are certainly some exciting young quarterbacks, including the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, who are beginning to make their mark in the NFL, it will be difficult for any of them to fill the void that Brady has left now that the curtain has come down on this once in a generation NFL career under centre.