22 seasons and 7 Super Bowl wins later, National Football League (NFL) quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement at age 44 on Feb. 1, 2022. 

“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,” Brady posted on Instagram. 

In 2000, Brady made his professional debut after being the 199th overall pick in the sixth-round NFL draft. He played for the New England Patriots until 2019 and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 with a 50-million-dollar contract. 

“He [Brady] is a great person on and off the field and has impacted the NFL in a positive way for years,” Jack Strickland, sophomore, said. 

Brady had a long and inspiring career, winning six Super Bowls during his time with the Patriots and one as a part of the Buccaneers. In addition, he was a five-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) and three-time league MVP. Off the field, he has created a personality that many children aspire to be. Brady stood as a role model for hard-working athletes, and he continues to show how dedication and commitment are important to success in sports. 

“Brady is seen as influential in the football community because of his leadership that has helped him lead his team to many Super Bowls,” Campbell Munsey, senior, said. 

Brady continues to influence society by working with many charitable organizations, such as Best Buddies International, where he has raised 46.5 million dollars over the past 20 years. For more information about his contributions, click here. 

Although his impact on the field has officially come to an end, Brady’s legacy will go down in history.