Tom Brady long has said he wants to play quarterback in the NFL until he's 45 years old. But the NFL legend, currently 44, has decided to retire after 22 seasons, ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington reported Saturday.
So, what changed?
Shortly after breaking the news, Schefter and Darlington published a story containing additional details.
Brady reportedly knew last Sunday's divisional-round loss to the Los Angeles Rams likely was his last game. Over the past week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback spent time "digesting" his feelings while preparing for what will come next.
As had been previously reported, health and family concerns factored heavily into Brady's decision, according to Schefter and Darlington. So, too, did Brady's understanding of Tampa's looming roster turnover. The Bucs had hoped that Brady would return for another season.
Here's an excerpt from the ESPN story:
Brady, 44, has been adamant for weeks that he never wanted a "farewell season," and many who know him believed he desired a decision made without much drama leading up to it. He will shift focus to new endeavors and believes this is the right moment to end his playing career, sources said.
There reportedly is no detailed timetable for a formal announcement from Brady, though one is expected in the very near future. Additionally, it currently is unknown whether Brady could sign a one-day contract and retire as a member of the New England Patriots, a move that would mirror what other prominent athletes have done in recent years.
Interestingly, credible Buccaneers reporter Rick Stroud reported that Brady, as of Saturday afternoon, had not informed the Bucs of his decision. However, a tweet from the official TB12 account cleared up any confusion.
The tweet-and-delete adds to the intrigue of Brady's reported retirement, as it means Twitter found out the news before his team did.
Brady retires as a seven-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest football player in history.
