Tom Brady Announces Retirement From The Nfl Read His Full Statement

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 13, 2025, 10:32 AM

tom brady announces retirement from the nfl read his full statement

Editor's note: Buccaneers and former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady officially retired from the NFL after 22 seasons on Tuesday. Below is Brady's full statement on his retirement. 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. 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. To my Bucs teammates the past two years, I love you guys, and I have loved going to battle with you.

You have dug so deep to challenge yourself, and it inspired me to wake up every day and give you my best. I am always here for you guys and want to see you continue to push yourselves to be your best. I couldn't be happier with what we accomplished together. Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals after winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday. The 44-year-old, arguably the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, announced the news on Instagram.

Below is a full transcript of his statement: 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. 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 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. The retirement of legendary quarterback Tom Brady shook Patriots Nation, but his omission of any mention of his two decades in New England bothered a lot of Patriots fans. Tom Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Instagram and Twitter on Tuesday morning, ending several days of speculation about his future. The 44-year-old former New England Patriots great goes out after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title last season and NFC South championship this season. Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. You can read Brady's full statement below:

Tom Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, days after reports first surfaced about his intention to step away from the game. Brady made his retirement official in a lengthy post on his Instagram page. "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 wrote. "I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions," he continued. "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 went on to thank Buccaneers fans, coaches, teammates, front office officials and owners. He also thanked his personal trainer, his agents and family members. A day after saying he was evaluating his options concerning his future, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady officially retired from the NFL. Brady made the announcement via social media on Tuesday morning. "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,"...

"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, 44, led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns this season and his final game was the NFC Divisional loss at home to the Los Angeles Rams. Tom Brady has announced his retirement from the NFL for the second time after spending 23 seasons at the top level of American Football. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his initial retirement a year ago only to reverse his decision 40 days later and re-signed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This time the 45-year-old chose not to release another lengthy statement announcing his retirement but instead posted a 53-second long video on social media.

Brady posted the video with the comment: "Truly grateful on this day. Thank you." In the NFL star says: "Good morning guys, I'll get to the point right away, I'm retiring, for good. "I know the process was a pretty big deal last time so when I woke up this morning I figured that I'll just press record and let you guys know first. It won't be long winded. You only get one super-emotional retirement essay and I used mine up last year." Brady's career spanned two decades with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The quarter-back spent 20 seasons with the Patriots, winning six Super Bowls as well as three MVP awards. He then signed for the Bucs in 2020 winning the Super Bowl once more and leading the Florida side to the playoffs in each of his three seasons. To stream 10 Tampa Bay on your phone, you need the 10 Tampa Bay app. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video TAMPA, Fla.

— Tom Brady announced his retirement Tuesday on Instagram, capping off 22 seasons with the NFL and an unrivaled seven Super Bowl wins. Brady leaves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having led the team to a Super Bowl title last season and an NFC South championship this season. The 44-year-old seemingly could have continued his career, with him hitting a career-high 5,316 passing yards and leading the NFL in touchdown passes with 43. The greatest to ever do it has officially called it a career. Tom Brady is retiring. The quarterback announced his decision via Instagram on Tuesday.

"I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions," Brady wrote in part of his lengthy message. "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. "To my Bucs teammates the past two years, I love you guys, and I have loved going to battle with you. You have dug so deep to challenge yourself, and it inspired me to wake up every day and give you my best. I am always here for you guys and want to see you continue to push yourselves to be your best.

I couldn't be happier with what we accomplished together." Brady's official retirement comes three days after news first broke he was planning to hang up his legendary cleats. Brady had yet to publicly commit one way or another, spending his latest appearance on his podcast maintaining he was still "going through the process". Tuesday brought the result of that process.

Tom Brady Announces Retirement From The Nfl Read His Full Statement

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