Tom Brady has been a colossus in the world of NFL, a titan whose legacy seems immortal. Fans familiar with the league will recognize the Herculean stature the quarterback embodies in the football realm. His towering achievements set a bar so high that aspiring signal-callers face an arduous climb to even touch the pinnacle he commands.
Despite announcing retirement, the specter of Brady’s return lingered among fans. Recently, a latest post of the veteran says he himself had the desire for a second act, but something held him back from gracing the field once more. Speculation arises as to the reason behind this decision among the sports enthusiasts who are yet to get the Brady era.
Tom Brady reveals he nearly unretired in 2023 but stopped
Tom Brady surprised fans with his Instagram post, where he indicated a near reversal of his decision to retire. In a heartfelt reflection on his year, his post showcased snapshots of cherished moments with his family and close ones. Expressing gratitude for the highs and the learning from the lows, Tom Terrific shed light on the significance of connecting with loved ones.
“Looking back on 2023 grateful for every moment. Cherishing the highs, learning from the lows, and looking forward to what’s coming next. I’m blessed to have family and friends filled with so much love, joy, and compassion surrounding me”, he wrote.
However, nestled within this gratitude-filled message was Brady’s revelation of nearly shedding his retirement status in May. Nevertheless, his plans were thwarted by a surprise retirement party organized by his friends, which nudged him to stay committed to his decision.
“The only downside to 2023 was when I was about to unretire in May and my friends threw a surprise retirement party. Kind of forced my hand.”
This disclosure arrives in the wake of Tom Brady’s recent statement, where he declared an NFL return was off the table due to family considerations. He earlier said his parents and children would “kill” him if he contemplated another unretirement.
The 2023 NFL season, marred by season-ending injuries to starting quarterbacks, witnessed a fervent plea from fans whenever a QB1 was sidelined. Fans across various teams took to social media, imploring TB12 to reconsider retirement and don their team’s jersey. Whether it was the Jets’ faithful after Aaron Rodgers’ injury or the Bengals’ supporters following Joe Burrow’s setback, the desire for Brady’s return echoed across the league several times.
Why did Tom Brady retire from the NFL?
Despite an illustrious Super Bowl victory in his debut year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team’s subsequent performance in Tom Brady’s last season was less than stellar. The Bucs’ 8-9 record and a disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round served as a surprising backdrop to TB12’s exit, as per many fans and analysts.
However, according to a report of Jeff Darlington, the veteran’s decision to retire was attributed, in part, to his personal life’s tumultuous turn. He shed light on the California Cool’s weariness, saying not only the strains of a decorated football career but also the emotional toll of his personal life, especially his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bundchen. He was reportedly fatigued and seeking renewal, expressing the need to “recharge,” “rebuild,” and forge ahead in his life beyond football.
“At 45 years old he is exhausted by a long and storied football career, but he is also exhausted by the last six months of his life. He is still going through those motions. Let’s not forget that it was during a football season, a time in which he is ultimately so focused on the game that he also endured the heartbreak of a divorce. So now he wants to recharge, he wants to rebuild and he wants to kind of move on with his life.”
In February 2022, TB12 initially declared retirement to prioritize his family, albeit he took a U-turn six weeks later. Tom Brady’s retirement announcement marked the end of an era adorned with unparalleled achievements. He cemented his legacy in the NFL by etching his name atop numerous all-time statistical categories including wins (251), Pro Bowl appearances (15), Super Bowl MVP awards (5), completions (7,753), attempts (12,050), passing yards (89,214), and passing touchdowns (649).
