Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has announced his retirement from the NFL after 22 years.
The 44-year-old was consistently grilled over his future during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff bid, with their Super Bowl hopes ending in defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.
Brady was forced to deny reports over the weekend claiming that he had taken the decision to retire, but the quarterback has now confirmed that his glittering NFL career has come to an end.
"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," Brady said in a statement released on social media.
"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.
"My playing career has been such a thrilling ride, and far beyond my imagination, and full of ups and downs. 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."
Brady retires having won the Super Bowl on seven occasions - most recently with the Bucs last year - as well as collecting five Super Bowl MVPs and three NFL MVPS during his 22 seasons, 20 of which were spent with the New England Patriots.
The former Michigan college player retires with multiple records to his name, including all-time passing yards (84,250), passing touchdowns (624) and career quarterback wins (243).
Brady ended the 2021 NFL season as the leading player in passing yards with 5,316, as well as 43 touchdown passes - the most ever by a player during their farewell campaign.
