After days of speculation, former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement on social media, marking the end of a legendary career.
Brady, who just completed his best statistical season at the age of 44, said in a statement that he is “not going to make that competitive commitment anymore” and wants to focus his time on “other things that require my attention.”
Brady, in his 22nd and final year, led the Buccaneers to a 13-4 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. Tampa Bay’s quest of repeating as Super Bowl champions came to an end with a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Divisional Round.
The Buccaneers at one point trailed the Rams by 24, but nearly mounted one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history behind Brady’s improved play in the second half. With just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, he threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans that pulled Tampa Bay to within seven points.
Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was in coverage on the play, but he didn’t have a chance to defend the perfect throw. The five-time Pro Bowler couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that he allowed Brady’s final touchdown pass:
The best QB of all time retired, DANG… he threw his last TD on me 😂
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) February 1, 2022
Brady’s touchdown pass to Evans was his 86th in 47 career playoff games. He finished his illustrious career with an NFL-record 624 touchdown passes in the regular season.
As for Ramsey, it was only the fourth touchdown pass he allowed all season. Since being acquired by the Rams in 2019, he has given up only five touchdowns in 31 regular-season games.
Despite a late scare, the Rams went on to secure a win over the Buccaneers after Matt Gay kicked a 30-yard field goal as time expired. The game-winning score was made possible when Matthew Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp on a 44-yard pass earlier in the drive.
The Rams have since defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LVI, where the Cincinnati Bengals await them.
