After 23 seasons of NFL football, seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVPs, three NFL MVPs, totaling the most passing touchdowns (649) and the passing yards in NFL history (89,214), and an incalculable impact on the sport of football, Tom Brady is calling it a career. The only NFL player to win a championship in three different decades officially announced his retirement from the football via his social media pages on Wednesday morning. This is his second retirement announcement in the last 365 days as he originally called it a career on Feb. 1 a year ago. However, this one seems like it is for good.
The first 20 of Brady's NFL seasons came with the New England Patriots (2000-2019), and the last three were for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-2022).
In a reflection of Brady's legendary career, many NFL players and figures from around the league, as well as the rest of the sports world, are making sure to applaud the NFL's most decorated player.
Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes was one of the first to salute Brady shortly after his announcement. The two went head-to-head in a couple of playoff clashes -- the 2018 AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LV with Brady's Patriots and Buccaneers coming out on top in both matchups.
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 1, 2023
Retired running back James White, who won three Super Bowls alongside Brady on the Patriots, expressed his love and appreciation for his former quarterback. White caught 14 passes from Brady in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, the Super Bowl single-game record, in the Patriots' historic 34-28 overtime win in which they overcame a 28-3 third-quarter deficit.
Love ya bro❤️ it was a pleasure! https://t.co/MilAiUjy2r
— James White (@SweetFeet_White) February 1, 2023
Both of his teams that he led to Super Bowl glory expressed their appreciation for Brady's leadership and play while donning their respective uniforms.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2023
♥️
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 1, 2023
Retired, three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant showed gratitude for being able to play against and watch Brady during his football career.
Truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2s2sezvSS
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2023
J.J. Watt, one of the greatest defenders in NFL history as only one of three players in league history with three Defensive Player of the Year awards, acknowledged Brady as the greatest of all time and invited him to do what many retirees do: Hit the golf course.
Greatest of All Time.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 1, 2023
No question, no debate.
It’s been an honor and a privilege.
🐐
PS - The newly retired group meets on the golf course every morning at 10am. Drinks are on the new guy, so bring your wallet. https://t.co/rjPx7bQa6u
Brady's impact extends across continents as French football club Paris Saint-Germain applauded Tom Brady's incredible football career.
Happy retirement @TomBrady, congratulations on a legendary career in the #NFL 👏 https://t.co/1vLHFiAIrf
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 1, 2023
Green Bay Packers All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari congratulated a different No. 12 on retirement this offseason.
Rest easy king. #SerraPadre https://t.co/iVsiztbn7A
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) February 1, 2023
Former Patriots backup and Brady teammate Matt Cassel congratulated his pal on a great career for the second year in a row.
I would post a tribute to Tom but did one last year. No more. Congrats on a great career, buddy! https://t.co/ERf2w9MrRA
— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) February 1, 2023
Another sports legend of Brady's era, Derek Jeter, set aside the New York-Boston rivalry to congratulate the longtime New England Patriot on his Hall of Fame career.
Congrats @TomBrady on an unbelievable career. It was fun to watch! https://t.co/zkobgugR52
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) February 1, 2023
The Denver Broncos trolled Brady once again with the photo of him and on-field archrival Peyton Manning shaking hands after he and the Broncos defeated Brady's Patriots once again in the 2015 AFC Championship Game. They also congratulated the legend on his career after getting the ribbing out of the way.
Good thing we always seem to have this photo available — please don’t make us use it again. 😂
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 1, 2023
In all seriousness, congrats to an incredible competitor on an unbelievable career. https://t.co/Rd1JXIP2Tx pic.twitter.com/cmuk0zzvhT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette tweeted out his appreciation for the quarterback who helped him achieve postseason glory.
Love you Thomas ❤️ https://t.co/CxvmNMPs6B
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) February 1, 2023
NFC South rival and Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan saluted the GOAT and admired Brady getting his announcement out first and from the quarterback's own mouth.
Man’s wasnt gon let anyone leak from his camp this yr…🫡 🐐 https://t.co/u1Rko0oxxX
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) February 1, 2023
Former Patriots running back and Brady teammate Danny Woodhead applauded his former quarterback's career.
Congrats brother! https://t.co/iyqGXUJOxU
— danny woodhead (@danny__woodhead) February 1, 2023
Retired quarterback Matt Leinart, whose legendary run at USC and NFL career began and ended during Brady's NFL career, expressed his appreciation for Brady being a role model for those who played the position.
Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. Congrats @TomBrady! https://t.co/qhaYbVN1jC
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) February 1, 2023
Michigan, Brady's alma mater, expressed its love for the college's most decorated NFL alum.
Nobody has ever done it better. Congratulations on one amazing career, @TomBrady, we love you!
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) February 1, 2023
🐐 https://t.co/CmbPDHKEjf
Former Patriots teammate and NFL defensive lineman Chris Long congratulated the league's GOAT.
Congrats 🐐 https://t.co/4Dmia8LCiw
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) February 1, 2023
Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen, who battled back from a preseason knee injury to play in the Buccaneers' wild-card round game against the Dallas Cowboys this season, expressed his appreciation for being able to go to battle with Brady one more time.
Thanks for pushing me everyday this season mentally and physically to get back on the field. I'm glad I was able to take the field with you one last time! Enjoy retirement, don't dog me too much in the booth. Love ya man! @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/Q3G5eoTJgc
— Ryan Jensen (@sinjen66) February 1, 2023
The NFL Players Association applauded its most decorated member on his incredible 23-season career.
Hell of a career @TomBrady 👏👏👏 https://t.co/Vw3tlzt5G7
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 1, 2023
Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby saluted Brady as the greatest to ever do it as the 45-year-old seemingly puts to rest the rumors of the two becoming teammates in Las Vegas.
The Greatest To Ever Do It🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/1IhyhR93C7
— 🦅MaddMaxx🦅 (@CrosbyMaxx) February 1, 2023
The NFL itself has thanked Tom Brady for everything across the last 23 seasons.
For all the rings.
— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2023
For all the touchdowns.
For all the memories.
Thank you for everything, @TomBrady. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ixy3VeymIP
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, a former Super Bowl adversary of Brady's, congratulated the legend by calling him "the greatest."
Congrats Tom. 👑
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 1, 2023
Salute to the Greatest. 🐐 #12 https://t.co/3l1ZxzdIoQ