Some athletes have a hard time digesting the end of their career, “the little death”. At 44, superstar Tom Brady has found a surprising remedy: real fake retirement. A month and a half after announcing the end of his sports career, the most successful quarterback in Superbowl history announced the exact opposite on Sunday March 13.
“Over the past two months, I have realized that my place is always on the pitch and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now”, wrote on Twitter seven-time Super Bowl winner.
“I love my teammates, and I love my family who support me. Without them, none of this is possible. I’m coming back for my 23e season, in Tampa Bay. We have a job to finish”continued Brady, 44, who therefore did not wait long to reconsider his decision.
« He’s baaackkkk » – ” he returns !!! – raved about the Bucs franchise on its social media, with coach Bruce Arians expressing his “total excitement” at the idea of finding his master to play, who had come out head down from the last playoffs, eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams, winners of the Super Bowl in February.
A trophy that Brady had lifted for the 7e times a year earlier, crowning his Florida adventure with immediate and unexpected success after twenty seasons dominating the league with the New England Patriots (six crowns in nine finals).
The quarterback – designated five times « MVP » of the Super Bowl and three times of the regular season – has records in shambles, among others that of the number of successful touchdown passes (624), passing yards covered (84,520) and victories in regular seasons (243) .
Records to improve
Here is Brady determined to do even better, by honoring the last year of the contract which binds him to the Buccaneers until 2023 and which he therefore probably did not break despite the announcement of his retirement. Further proof that he reserved the possibility of going after his wish, often expressed in the past: to play until he was 45. In 22 seasons, the native of California will have won everything several times and defied by his longevity the laws of a destructive professional sport for organisms.
Among the greatest athletes in history, few have managed to return to the top after retiring. After a first hat-trick with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1992-1993), Michael Jordan stopped basketball for a year and a half, with a short and unsuccessful baseball spell, before coming back stronger at 32 and winning again. three NBA championship titles in a row (1996-1997-1998).
If the two sports and the ages differ, the parallel is essential all the same. Because Brady does not come back just for fun, but to win.
