45-year-old NFL quarterback Tom Brady, truly the ageless wonder, immediately prompted the annual ritual of speculating whether or not he will return or retire following his Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ surprise loss against Dallas this past weekend.
Fueling additional rumors that Brady is leaning toward retirement were some cryptic remarks made during a press conference following the season-ending defeat.
Asked what his plans were, Brady first coyly dodged the subject by saying his immediate agenda included just going “home and [getting] a good night’s sleep.”
Without referencing the “R” word, Brady then merely said he would take everything “one day at a time, truly.”
These comments were innocuous enough, but then Newsweek noted that the big reveal of sorts came toward the end of the press conference. It was at this point that Brady dropped a lot of thank-yous that could have been interpreted as representing a finality.
There then came the postgame press conference in which Brady gave his biggest hint so far that this could be the last time on the field.
He ended the brief chat with the press by thanking reporters for their coverage of the Buccaneers and giving his appreciation at how they do their work.
“I just want to say thank you guys for everything this year,” Brady said.
“I really appreciate all your effort. And I know it’s hard for you guys, too. It’s hard for us players to make it through, and you guys got a tough job. And I appreciate all that you guys do to cover us and everyone who watches and [is] a big fan of the sport,” he continued, acknowledging the tireless role of the sports media.
“We’re very grateful for everyone’s support. And, you know, hopefully, you know, I love this organization. It’s a great place to be. I love everyone for welcoming me, all you regulars. And just very grateful for the respect, and I hope I gave the same thing back to you guys. So thank you very much,” he ended.
Here's the video of how Tom Brady ended his press conference tonight: pic.twitter.com/bUHKJgSOmY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 17, 2023
Newsweek remembered that this past season, Brady’s 23rd professional one, featured a lot of new distractions for the star QB.
It is the end of Brady’s twenty-third season and it has been quite a tumultuous one, with the misfiring Bucs and the end of his 13-year marriage to Gisele Bündchen, before then being embroiled in the fallout from the FTX cryptocurrency bankruptcy, for whom he was a brand ambassador during its launch.
Last summer, at the beginning of the NFL season, Brady announced that he and Gisele Bundchen, now his ex-wife, were splitting up. Though not explicitly addressed, it appeared Gisele was not pleased with Brady un-retiring at the start of the 2022-23 NFL season and was making good on her ultimatum: Me or the Buccaneers.
Brady released this statement after news broke of their split:
In recent days, my wife and I finalized our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage. We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together.
We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve. We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration.”
Doing so is, of course, painful and difficult, like it is for many people who go through the same thing every day around the world. However we wish only the best for each other as we pursue whatever new chapters in our lives that are yet to be written.
And we kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate what is to come in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you
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