Tom Brady’s February 1, 2022 retirement announcement—ending his 22-year NFL career at age 44—lasted just 41 days before he un-retired on March 13, 2022. The back-and-forth became a punchline, with speculation about family pressure (his marriage to Gisele Bündchen later ended in divorce).
The Retirement (February 1, 2022)
Brady announced via Instagram: “I’ve done a lot of reflecting over the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am going to take it day by day. But I know for now, the time is right to leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
He thanked the Bucs, fans, and teammates. The football world mourned the GOAT’s exit. ESPN prepared documentaries. The Bucs planned tributes. Brady seemed at peace—7 Super Bowl rings, 89,214 passing yards, 649 TDs, 3 MVPs. What more was there to prove?
The Un-Retirement (March 13, 2022)
41 days later, Brady tweeted: “These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa.”
Speculation exploded: Did Gisele pressure him to retire, then he couldn’t stay away? Did the Bucs convince him? Did he miss football too much? Brady never fully explained.
The 2022 Season
Brady returned for one more year. The Bucs went 8-9, making the playoffs as a wild card. They lost in the Divisional Round to the Cowboys. Brady finished with his worst record as a starter since 2002.
Off-field drama overshadowed the season:
- His marriage to Gisele ended in October 2022 (divorced after 13 years)
- Rumors of tension between Brady’s football obsession and family life
- His Fox Sports $375M broadcasting deal (starting after retirement)
The Real Retirement (February 1, 2023)
Exactly one year after his first retirement, Brady retired again on February 1, 2023. This time, it stuck. He thanked everyone, ended with “I’m retiring. For good.”
He finished age 45, having played 23 seasons. His final stats: 89,214 yards, 649 TDs, 7 Super Bowl rings, 5 Super Bowl MVPs, 3 NFL MVPs, 15 Pro Bowls.
Gisele & Family Fallout
Post-divorce, Gisele revealed Brady’s un-retirement broke a promise. She’d supported his career for years, moved cities, raised their kids largely alone during football season. His decision to return felt like choosing football over family.
Brady later admitted regret, saying he should’ve retired earlier to spend more time with his kids (3 children: Jack with Bridget Moynahan, Benjamin and Vivian with Gisele).
Legacy
The 41-day retirement became a meme. Every athlete retirement is now met with “Is this a Tom Brady retirement?” jokes. It humanized Brady—even the GOAT struggled to let go.
His competitive fire (what made him great) also cost him his marriage. The un-retirement is a cautionary tale: sometimes you can’t have it all.
Source: ESPN Tom Brady Retirement