The Wolverine

March 2022

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MARCH 2022 THE WOLVERINE 21 and a defensive stop away from per- haps another Super Bowl. Brady led the NFL in passing yards in his final season, tossing one more blazing log on a fire that burned 22 years in the league. His 10 Super Bowl appearances, seven Super Bowl wins, 710 passing touchdowns (624 regular season, 86 postseason), 97,569 yards passing (84,520, 13,049) and 278 vic- tories (243, 35) all exist in a galaxy of which the other top QBs in NFL his- tory could only dream. Brady's 51 fourth-quarter comebacks might have just as easily become 52. He rallied his Tampa Bay Buccaneers from a seemingly impossible 27-3 third-quarter deficit to a 27-27 tie with 42 seconds remaining in the final game of his career. Not all fairy tales end perfectly. The fact that Brady was still out there giv- ing his team a chance to win, still sum- moning up the magic, still setting re- cords on every single throw … well, that's legendary in and of itself. Brady looked for all the world like he could dig in again in the offseason, prep relentlessly and find himself right back here in 2023, challenging for Super Bowl ring No. 8. Instead, he explained why he won't be. On Feb. 1, Brady announced on Instagram his retirement from the sport he dominated like no other over the course of two decades-plus. "I have always believed the sport of football is an 'all-in' proposition — if a 100-percent competitive commitment isn't there, you won't succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game," Brady wrote. "There is a physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 2 2 y e a r s . There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. "This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore. I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. "I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors and fans deserve 100 percent of me, but right now, it's best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes." After extensive thank-yous to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization and personnel, Brady got very per- sonal, regarding his family. "And lastly to my wife, Gisele, and my children Jack, Benny and Vivi," he offered. "You are my inspiration. Our family is my greatest achievement. I always came off the field and home to the most loving and supportive wife who has done EVERYTHING for our family to allow me to focus on my ca- reer. Her selflessness allowed me to reach new heights professionally, and I am beyond words what you mean to me and our family. Te amo amor da minha vida." The last words translate to "I love you — love of my life," and pull back the curtain a bit farther on why the NFL's irrepressible competitor would choose to give up the game. "He made it clear that he wants to spend more time with his wife and kids," noted Doug Karsch, the sports talk show host at WTKA Radio in Ann Arbor when Brady was fighting for his football life. "And the one thing about Tom Brady is, it's not like he was going to play football and not be fully committed. One of the reasons he's successful is that football was all- consuming. Brady was only a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in college, but the sixth-round draft pick went on to become the NFL's GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) with more Super Bowl wins (seven) and Pro Bowl appearances (15) than any other player in history. PHOTO COURTESY TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

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