# Tom Brady takes a break finally **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [January 29, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642 "2022-01-29T20:12:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/1 "2022-01-29T20:12:30Z")
He’s retiring. > **[Sources: Brady retiring after 22 years, 7 rings](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33173652/tom-brady-retiring-22-seasons-seven-super-bowl-wins-new-england-patriots-tampa-bay-buccaneers-sources-say)** > > Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 seasons and seven Super Bowl titles, sources told ESPN's Jeff Darlington and Adam Schefter. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/2 "2022-01-29T20:20:53Z")
Congrats to the GOAT! I will miss watching him play. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/3 "2022-01-29T20:31:33Z")
I was hoping for one more season, but it’s probably time. What records HASN’T he broken? What he will do next will be interesting. QB Coach? Game analyst on ESPN? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/4 "2022-01-29T20:37:51Z")
It’s amazing what he’s done in his career. Congrats Tom Brady! ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/5 "2022-01-29T21:58:07Z")
Now there’s a lot of tweets saying it’s NOT happening, but I think they’re wrong. I doubt Boston Globe would report anything unsubstantiated concerning Tom Brady. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/6 "2022-01-29T22:06:48Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > What records HASN’T he broken? He is still way, WAY behind Brett Favre on career passes intercepted. 😉 Favre has the record at 336; Brady is in 29th place, at 203. > **[NFL Passes Intercepted Career Leaders | Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/pass_int_career.htm)** > > 1. Brett Favre (336), 2. George Blanda (277), 3. John Hadl (268), 4. Vinny Testaverde (267), 5. Fran Tarkenton (266), ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/7 "2022-01-29T22:15:44Z")
Looks like Boston Globe may be in trouble. His dad and agent aren’t denying it, but are saying Tom will explain any decisions himself. He’s out of the country for another week. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/8 "2022-01-29T22:15:44Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Locrian](#): > > > > What records HASN’T he broken? > > He is still way, WAY behind Brett Favre on career passes intercepted. 😉 > > Favre has the record at 336; Brady is in 29th place, at 203. > > [NFL Passes Intercepted Career Leaders | Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/pass_int_career.htm) Well I find that extremely disappointing, given that I’m a Montana and Young fan! ETA — well now that I read the list I see they have 203 — Brady, in 11,317 attempts = 1.79% 139 — Montana, in 5,391 attempts = 2.58% 107 — Young, in 4,149 attempts = 2.58% Brady truly is the GOAT. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/9 "2022-01-29T22:23:42Z")
Here are CNN’s live updates. > **[Live updates: Tom Brady retirement from the NFL](https://www.cnn.com/sport/live-news/nfl-tom-brady-retirement-news/index.html)** > > Quarterback Tom Brady will retire from the NFL after 22 seasons in the league. Clearly there is a little controversy, with people saying to wait until he announces it, but that seems like a formality to me. > Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee released a statement on Saturday regarding news of Brady’s retirement claims, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. > The statement, per Schefter, reads: “I understand the advance speculation about Tom’s future. Without getting into the accuracy or inaccuracy of what’s being reported, Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy. He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon.” I’m reading into this, “Yes he’s retiring but let us say that.” ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/10 "2022-01-29T22:26:23Z")
The Boston Globe has pulled back a bit, citing conflicting information, but I’m reading it the same way you are. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/11 "2022-01-29T22:39:38Z")
This is an article worth reading. It breaks down the first 21 years of Brady’s career (not taking into account this most recent year, because the article was written in like November 2021 or something) into 7-year spans and talks about Hall of Fame worthiness as if each 7-year span was a separate career. There is an argument to be made that he had _three_ Hall of Fame careers. > **[Tom Brady's three Hall of Fame careers: The case for enshrinement for each...](https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/32472417/tom-brady-three-hall-fame-careers-case-enshrinement-seven-year-era-patriots-bucs)** > > We divided the greatest quarterback of all time's career into three seven-year segments and evaluated each era independent from the others to make judgments. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/12 "2022-01-29T22:43:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’m reading into this, “Yes he’s retiring but let us say that.” That’s what I’m hearing too, @Atamasama. He’s gonna have to go to a TV studio in Denmark, or wherever he is, and announce it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/13 "2022-01-29T22:48:51Z")
Wow, after getting knocked out of the playoffs so early I thought for sure he’d try for one more Super Bowl chance. If this is true it’s the end of an era for sure. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/14 "2022-01-29T22:58:44Z")
I’m a little sad to see this. I wasn’t a huge Brady fan for any particular reason (nor was I detractor) but I’m a fan of sports history being made and generally of very unique human feats. I would’ve liked to have seen just how far he could’ve kept it going, playing to an age that it’s possible no one could’ve matched in the future. Something funny - last year I was reading a “is Tom Brady the GOAT QB?” argument on the internet, and a lot of people thought the answer was no, and the funny thing is that it sounded exactly like an “is Tom Brady the GOAT QB?” argument from 2012. The arguments were basically identical. He played basically another GOAT-level CAREER since then, basically doubling the time he was playing at a really high level, adding a few rings, and they still aren’t convinced. I wonder if he somehow played another 10 years winning a few championships in the process if they’d still make those same arguments. I don’t see how you can argue against it. He has the peak performance (2007), the rings, the longevity, the leadership/team chemistry, consistency, records, the whole 6th round pick scrappy underdog earning his place thing. He has everything. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/15 "2022-01-29T23:52:06Z")
Nah. He either pulls a Jordan and buys into a team or he simply shuts it down and focuses on pushing the TB12 brand, whatever shape that takes. No chance he coaches or GMs, and I doubt he wants to be sitting in a studio somewhere saying goofy shit. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/16 "2022-01-29T23:58:40Z")
The Brady GOAT debate is a weird one. The record snd longevity are both completely unassailable. Yet, he was never nearly as terrifying to watch your team face as Rodgers, Mahomes or Elway. It’s reminiscent of Montana, a guy who won more than anyone at the time but probably wasn’t the most gifted. Yet his teams were always in the best situation largely because of him. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/17 "2022-01-30T00:02:09Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Nah. He either pulls a Jordan and buys into a team or he simply shuts it down and focuses on pushing the TB12 brand, whatever shape that takes. > > No chance he coaches or GMs, and I doubt he wants to be sitting in a studio somewhere saying goofy shit. I agree. I don’t see him being happy as a QB coach for a team (or as a GM), and I don’t see him as having the sort of personality that would make him a good TV commentator or analyst. I think he does his own thing, and maybe does some work for teams or QBs as a consultant. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/18 "2022-01-30T00:33:32Z")
I could see him creating some elite QB camp kind of thing that turns a little cultish. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/19 "2022-01-30T00:40:31Z")
So apparently Brady is refuting the rumors. He always said he’d play until 45 which is next year. Maybe he’ll announce that next season is the farewell tour? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642/20 "2022-01-30T01:06:43Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > So apparently Brady is refuting the rumors. You can see the link I provided to CNN, they are updating it. I haven’t seen anything from Brady, where did you see that? I’ve just seen things from his agent and his dad. Neither is denying it, they’re just insisting he hasn’t decided (which makes me wonder why multiple NFL sources have said there was a decision already). Bruce Arians said that Tom hasn’t decided, but basically he’s just saying Tom hasn’t told him yet. I still haven’t seen anything from Tom. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642.md?page=2)