It isn’t easy to fathom an NFL without Tom Brady.
The 44-year-old quarterback called it quits after 22 seasons with two teams.
He was dropping soundbites on his podcast about being ready to walk away from the game to spend more time with his family.
For now, he’s one year short of his initial target of playing until he’s 45 years old.
Tom Brady shared his thoughts on possibly coming out of retirement.
(via Let's Go! Podcast/SiriusXM) pic.twitter.com/EIfrVYAZcU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2022
But while he won’t fulfill that goal, he will have a fruitful life beyond football, regardless of where he will devote his time.
Yet aside from him walking away from the game he loves, it’s even harder to fathom that he will return to competitive football after a sabbatical.
Understandably, taking the competitive nature out of an athlete is difficult.
However, it would be better for him if he left for good.
Nothing Left To Prove
Going back for a 23rd season after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Weekend is a petty reason to come back.
The NFL grind is brutal, and no one understands that harsh reality better than a quarterback like Brady.
He would have to be all in physically, mentally, and emotionally to go through that gauntlet for another year, which is not easy because Father Time can’t be beat.
There’s also the possibility of a life-altering hit from the linebacker or a defensive lineman.
It certainly sounded like Tom Brady isn't completely sold on retirement#PMSinLA pic.twitter.com/14pLUA38cg
— 🅿️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 8, 2022
Yes, playing another season may result in an eighth Super Bowl victory.
But does he need another one to cement his legacy?
He departs the game leaving everything on the field while conquering all achievable milestones.
It would take a while – or maybe never – before someone can match his seven Super Bowls.
.@SaturdayJeff is all of us after Tom Brady didn't fully rule out making a return from retirement 😂
"SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE?! My man is toying with my emotions. Don't do it to me, Tom." pic.twitter.com/0bCuZ58Lu8
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 8, 2022
He’s only one of a handful of quarterbacks who led two franchises to championships.
He is a five-time Super Bowl MVP and three-time league MVP.
Likewise, he owns the majority of passing and quarterback-related feats in the NFL record book.
His name will be synonymous with football, even long after he’s gone.
Tom Brady officially announces his retirement. An emotional @ShannonSharpe reacts:
"Hell yeah I'm sad, I didn't want the man to go out like this. But I'm happy for him." pic.twitter.com/3uGNV0dlwN
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 1, 2022
Unfortunately, after a lengthy layoff, returning to the game might tarnish his reputation as its most outstanding winner.
The time is right to start the next phase of his career, and he can cheerfully live those years without enduring severe injuries.
Building His Empire Beyond Football
As the greatest of all time, Brady has cemented his legacy for generations to come.
His name will always come up if someone is close to breaking one of his records or if a young talent portrays Brady-like attributes.
But he need not worry about football itself because the game is in good hands, thanks to Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, and Matthew Stafford, to name a few.
It’s now time to reap the seeds he sowed outside of football and devote time to conquering new ventures.
#Patriots HC Bill Belichick has released the following statement on Tom Brady's retirement: pic.twitter.com/wZbKS9WVLE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 3, 2022
Aside from having a more hands-on role as a husband and a father, he can now expand TB12 Sports by establishing more gyms in more locations.
He must also devote time and effort to Autograph.io, a digital collectibles site he co-founded last year.
Brady can also start producing more films and documentaries through 199 Productions or expand the SageSpot creator platform.
He will also keep an eye on his investment in the trading cards marketplace Alt, while possibly taking a vacation at his properties in Costa Rica or Montana.
With the news of @TomBrady's retirement today, he would first be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027.@Patriots | @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/Rh44Dy0ZfI
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 1, 2022
That said, football is now the least of Brady’s priorities.
He might feel the itch to return, but more responsibilities off the field need his attention.
