Tens of thousands of people instantly reacted to legendary quarterback Tom Brady announcing on Sunday that he was returning to play a 23rd season in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady wrote in a tweet that garnered hundreds of thousands of engagements in a mere matter of minutes. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers responded, “Tampa Tom is BACK.”
Tampa Tom is BACK 😎🌴 https://t.co/14BzBmFzOv
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 13, 2022
Much of the reaction was pure shock, while some called him out for making the announcement on Selection Sunday, which is when the NCAA tournament bracket is released.
Many made note of how short the retirement was given that Brady just announced 40 days ago that he was retiring.
Good news that the GOAT is returning for a 23rd season. The bad news is that the other 31 wish he retired.
Makes sense that TB12 makes the announcement today as that gives TB UFAs heads up as "legal tampering" begins tomorrow. #BEASTwriter | #GoBucs | #TB12 https://t.co/HhYbXDAz6A
— Ryan Sakamoto (@BEASTwriter) March 14, 2022
Dude.
Wait a day.
This is College Basketball Day. https://t.co/2kEOQpNRmI
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) March 13, 2022
Tom Brady is turning 45 in August.
– He has won 7 Super Bowl titles.
– He has won 5 Super Bowl MVPs.
– He has won 3 NFL MVPs.
– He is the career passing yards, passing touchdowns and passing completions leader.
– He is coming out of retirement for "unfinished business." https://t.co/ZKyqUG14VR
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 13, 2022
That was a fast retirement. https://t.co/4OTvzGly8y
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2022
Exciting news for the sports world. Hard not to root for him.
Condolences to whoever paid over $500k for his "final" touchdown ball. https://t.co/U2u8l6HZMb
— Harry Zahn (@harry_zahn) March 14, 2022
When your wife tells you you need to start doing the dishes every night, and those bins aren't taking themselves out – sometimes it's just time to play on:) https://t.co/19VODyrntv
— Trevor Long (@trevorlong) March 14, 2022
This man has 7 Super Bowls and still has unfinished business https://t.co/wXmxNT3B9d
— TickPick (@TickPick) March 14, 2022
Sends a message to dads everywhere that this life isn't for everyone. Takes a true warrior. https://t.co/1892OCyg25
— John Hyslop (@sloprules) March 14, 2022
https://t.co/xcBFTUv6Bj pic.twitter.com/GMi8qxjyZg
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 13, 2022
A day after watching 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo score a hat-trick at Old Trafford, 44-year-old NFL quarterback Tom Brady cancels his retirement and will be back for another season at Tampa https://t.co/EsJq0XLJyF
— Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) March 13, 2022
Didn't some dude just spend $500K on Tom Brady's last TD football? I'd hate to be that guy. https://t.co/wX62pXwXxC
— Percy Allen (@percyallen) March 13, 2022
When Ronaldo asked him if he was coming back you could see in his face that he wanted it. https://t.co/AyCnim19XL
— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) March 13, 2022
Why retire when you're playing unreal football?
Happy to see Tom Brady for another season https://t.co/Yp5edQYd1O
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 13, 2022
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING?!?!?
Tom Brady is seriously coming back https://t.co/N6KWOvyHAS
— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 13, 2022
On February 1, Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL in a post on Instagram.
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady wrote in an Instagram post. “There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.”
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady continued. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”
Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Joe Montana told TMZ back in mid-February that he believed that Brady was “crazy” to retire right now with the team that he has in Tampa Bay and that Brady is not done playing football.
“Look at the team he’s got, why would you want to leave that?” Montana said. “I don’t think it’s done yet. I don’t think that’s over with.”
“He’s still able to play at a high level,” he added, “and the way his season ended for him, I would think that with the team he has, give it at least one more shot.”
Related:
- Peyton Manning Offers Hilarious Advice To Tom Brady On Retirement During SNL Skit
- ‘The Best Player In NFL History’: Bill Belichick Weighs In Following Tom Brady’s Retirement
- Tom Brady To Star In Road Trip Comedy Movie With Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, And Sally Field: Report
This is a developing news story; refresh the page for updates.