NFL stars, sports commentators, and others reacted to seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady’s announcement that he’s retiring again, but this time “for good” after 23 seasons in the league.
On Wednesday, the 45-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback posted a video on social media thanking fans and everyone who have helped him along the way.
“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first,” he added, noting his previous retirement announcement on Feb. 1, 2022, before changing his mind.
Not long after the clip was shared, the sports world reacted praising the “Goat,” with many calling him the “Greatest of All Time.”
Recently retired former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals star JJ Watt tweeted, “Greatest of All Time.”
“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.”
Greatest of All Time.
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
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 1, 2023
ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith wrote, “He’ll be remembered as the greatest ever. … You don’t just talk about him as a football player, you talk about him as a leader.”
.@stephenasmith reacts to Tom Brady's retirement:
"He'll be remembered as the greatest ever. … You don't just talk about him as a football player, you talk about him as a leader." pic.twitter.com/HaDokAPSrb
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 1, 2023
NFL analyst and former NFL player, Robert Griffin III tweeted, “Tom Brady is the [goat].”
Tom Brady is the 🐐
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 1, 2023
ESPN analyst Marcus Spears tweeted, “Tom shutting it down and I thought he should !! Enjoy your next chapter Goat! You Gave everything you had and It was better than anyone else’s in winning and Leading!!!
[TomBrady]=Goat.”
Tom shutting it down and I thought he should !! Enjoy your next chapter Goat! You Gave everything you had and It was better than anyone else’s in winning and Leading!!! 🙏🏾 @TomBrady=Goat
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) February 1, 2023
Sports analyst Colin Cowherd said, “Being good is hard. Being great is really hard. Being the GOAT takes your breath away.”
"Being good is hard. Being great is really hard. Being the GOAT takes your breath away."
— @ColinCowherd reflects on Tom Brady's career pic.twitter.com/o7YOMzbr5V
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 1, 2023
You only get one super emotional reaction to the goat retiring, and I used mine up. So I’ll just say this. Learning from you as a player, teammate, leader, son, brother, and father has been the experience of a lifetime. Love you buddy. ❤️🐐
PS. Pickleball partners? pic.twitter.com/otauEND3Fd
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) February 1, 2023
Congrats Tom. 👑
Salute to the Greatest. 🐐 #12 https://t.co/3l1ZxzdIoQ— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 1, 2023
The greatest to ever do it. https://t.co/YBxsv4QY0e
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 1, 2023
🗣 THANK YOU TOM https://t.co/3ASnEuBngv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 1, 2023
Congratulations @TomBrady on an incredible career & we enjoyed your time in #ChampaBay 🏆 @Buccaneers
See you in Canton in 5 years! 🏈 @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/2PevnHdy56
— Derrick Brooks (@DBrooks55) February 1, 2023
Congrats @TomBrady on an unbelievable career. It was fun to watch! https://t.co/zkobgugR52
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) February 1, 2023
Yet there were others who seemed to think that he’d be back in a new uniform soon, saying, “‘I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Yea we’ve heard this before. I’ll believe it when I see it,” one fan wrote.
Yea we've heard this before. I'll believe it when I see it https://t.co/pSrrQoecfY
— Brian #MSAwareness (@StormingB81) February 1, 2023
Sports commentators of the Dan LeBatard show said they didn’t believe it.
“I’m not buying it,” [Stugotz790] shared.
“I’m not buying it either,” Jessica_smetana replied.
“I’m not buying it for a second,” [MichaelRyanRuiz] added.
"I'm not buying it." – @Stugotz790
"I'm not buying it either." – @jessica_smetana
"I'm not buying it for a second." – @MichaelRyanRuiz
The show reacts to news of Tom Brady's retirement announcement with immediate skepticism 😂
📺 https://t.co/5criV2cGWk pic.twitter.com/uRsr42UP7N
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) February 1, 2023
Groundhog Day is February 2nd for everybody else, February 1st for Tom Brady.
— scott pianowski (@scott_pianowski) February 1, 2023
Is he really though? https://t.co/0kTgnV1k4G pic.twitter.com/5RJR86OA5R
— y-Linzi (@linzireads) February 1, 2023
Related: Tom Brady Announces Retirement From Football: ‘For Good’