Tom Brady has officially confirmed his retirement from professional football to the NFL and NFLPA, according to reports.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner filed a letter Friday with the NFL and NFLPA to confirm his February 1 retirement, according to Adam Schefter.
The 45-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback announced his retirement last Wednesday with a pre-recorded video apparently shot on a public beach in South Florida.
By filing his letter Friday he has silenced any queries on whether he may perform another U-turn on retiring and has made himself eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2028.
Last week’s announcement came one year to the day that Brady first announced his retirement, a decision he reversed just weeks later.
It had been an emotional and tumultuous 2022-23 season for Brady would be an understatement. On the field, Brady suffered the first losing season of his 23-year-long NFL career as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad fell to an 8-9 record.
Off the field, he finalized a highly-publicized divorce from his now-ex-wife and supermodel Giselle Bundchen.
Bundchen and Brady were married for 13 years before their divorce was finalized in October of 2022.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has a broadcaster job with Fox line up and waiting for him but he recently revealed that he will wait to transition into the booth until the fall of 2024. In other words: NFL fans will go an entire season without Brady in 2023 for the first time this millennium.
Previously, in May, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch revealed that Brady would eventually be Fox Sports’ top NFL analyst, although the starting date for the contract remained unclear.
‘We are delighted that Tom has committed to joining the Fox team and wish him all the best during this upcoming season,’ said Murdoch, the 50-year-old son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Fox Sports said Brady’s on-air partner will be longtime announcer Kevin Burkhardt. The five-time Super Bowl MVP will also work as a ‘brand ambassador’ for Fox, focusing on ‘client and promotional initiatives.’
The New York Post reported that the deal is for 10 years and will pay Brady a record-breaking $375 million – the largest contract in sportscasting history.
In May, Front Office Sports reported that Brady will make as much as $25 million annually in a deal that could be worth up to $200 million.
Either way, his contract surpasses those of other quarterbacks-turned-announcers, like Troy Aikman (reportedly $90 million over five years with ESPN) and Tony Romo ($180 million over 10 years with CBS).
Just some of Brady’s records include the most passing touchdowns, passing completions, passing yards, and wins for a quarterback.
He’s been named MVP of the league three times and the MVP of the Super Bowl five times – the most of any player.
Brady’s also the greatest playoff quarterback in the sport – with the record for most games started, games won, passing touchdowns, passing yards (in both a playoffs and in a single game).
Of course, the most notable among his accolades would be seven Super Bowl titles – six of which came in New England. Those seven titles are the most of any player in league history.
When he does become eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028, Brady, thought of as the GOAT by many, is practically guaranteed a spot.
JJ Watt, a former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end, also announced his retirement at the end of this season and will join Brady in headlining the Class of 2028.
