He is back ! A man of all records, the insatiable Tom Brady may have offered himself the fastest comeback in history, announcing his return to the NFL on Sunday, starting next season with the Buccaneers, a month and half only after saying retire.
“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 the seven-time winner of the Super Bowl. “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 23rd 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”, 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 play-offs, eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams, winners of the Super Bowl in February. A trophy that Brady had lifted for the 7th time a year earlier, crowning his Florida adventure with immediate and unexpected success after twenty seasons dominating the league with the New England Patriots (six coronations in nine finals).
Always further
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) .
Here he is determined to do even better, by honoring the last year of the contract which binds him to the Buccaneers until 2023 and which he has therefore probably not broken, 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.
Tom Brady, however, was not destined for such an exceptional career when he left the university championship with the University of Michigan. Chosen in the sixth round, as the 199th pick of the NFL draft (draft) by the New England Patriots, this California native thus thwarted all expectations when most of the league’s star quarterbacks are chosen in the first round, and very often in N.1 of the draft.
A predictable comeback
In 22 seasons, he will have won everything several times and defied by his longevity the laws of a destructive professional sport for organizations. Contrary to what seemed to be imposed on this stainless steel, the counter will not stop at 44 years. An age where, it was appropriate, the decision to continue or not his career was no longer taken alone, because the family also comes first for the husband of the ex-model Gisele Bündchen and father of their three children.
But the passion for the game was stronger than anything. With a poise to reconsider his decision necessarily motivated by age again and again. Because to succeed in a comeback at 45 – he will have them in August – with a start to the season in September, his 23rd in the rough NFL, it is better not to let the hiatus drag on for too long.
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.
