Camila Sosa
Although Tom Brady announced his retirement after the end of the postseason of the NFL’s 2021 campaign, it seems that the quarterback was never quite sure about his decision, or at least that’s what the last words he uttered on the matter made it clear.
Tom Brady, who has been performing at a superlative level despite his 44 years of age in a sport as physical and demanding as american football, mentioned on Monday that he never doubted his ability to keep up physically with the current demands of the sport. The legendary quarterback, who will turn 45 in August, also said he returned for a 23rd NFL season because he believes he still has something to offer the league.
I knew my body, physically, could still do what it could do. And obviously I have a love for the game, I think I’ll always have a love for the game. I do think physically I’ll be able to do it. I just felt like there was still a place for me on the field.
Tom Brady told to ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren
What Motivated Tom Brady to Come Back from Retirement?
Considering all these statements, it seems that Tom Brady never really wanted to retire, and that decision only lasted 40 days.
In addition, the manner in which he ended his final NFL campaign may not have been the way he would have liked, when his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was eliminated in the divisional round of the postseason in a 27-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, who would later be crowned Super Bowl champions.
It‘s worth remembering that the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2020, and Brady will surely want another shot at the Super Bowl. After reflecting and spending charity time with his family, Brady reached out to members of the Buccaneers, including his former head coach Bruce Arians.
“I wanted to give myself and my teammates and our organization another incredible opportunity to accomplish something that we’d all be very proud of. At the end of the day, I love the competition out there.”
Tom Brady
The decision may also have had other influences, as Tom Brady and his family traveled to England during his retirement to watch a Manchester United game at Old Trafford, where he had the opportunity to chat with another legend like Cristiano Ronaldo after the game. Cristiano is also competing at the highest level despite his advanced age for a professional soccer player, and watching him play must have reminded Brady of his exploits on the gridiron.
Is Brady the Greatest of All Times?
Tom Brady made his debut in 2000 with the New England Patriots and his arrival marked a turning point in the history of the franchise. During his time with the team, the Patriots won a total of six Super Bowl titles, 11 conference titles and 22 conference titles, spanning a period of absolute dominance in the AFC East Division between 2009 and 2019.
The quarterback culminated his time with the Patriots in 2020 and headed south, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and leading them to their second Super Bowl title in history in his first year with the team. He also helped them win their first division title in 2021 after a 14-year drought.
Inaddition to being one of the most celebrated players in American football, he also has several individual distinctions, including five Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL MVPs, two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 14 Pro Bowl appearances, a league-leading five touchdown passes, among others.
