After a few days of speculation regarding his status for next season, Tom Brady has indeed retired. He confirmed the decision in a series of tweets Tuesday morning. 
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed… This is difficult for me to write, but… 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% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes” he writes. “To my Bucs teammates the past two years”, he continues, “I love you guys, and have loved going to battle with you… I am always here for you guys… I couldn’t be happier with what we accomplished together”.
Continuing his appreciation for the Buccaneers, he goes on: “To all the Bucs fans, thank you. I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived here, but your support and embrace have enriched my life and that of my family. To the city of Tampa, and the entire Tampa-St. Petersburg region, thank you. To the Glazer family, thank you for taking a chance on me… I know I was demanding at times, but you provided everything we needed to win… To [general manager] Jason Licht, thank you for your daily support and friendship. To my head coach Bruce Arians, thanks for putting up with me!”
His thanks extend to personal trainer Alex Guerrero (“I could never have made every Sunday without you; it’s that simple), as well as agents Don Yee and Steve Dubin (“what a journey it’s been, and I couldn’t do it without you”). It continues with his parents, family and friends (“I could never have imagined the time and energy you have given me for the past 30 years in football”) and, finally, his wife (“I am beyond words what you mean to me and our family”).
His messages conclude with the statement, “I feel like the luckiest person in the world” and a commitment to “giving to others and trying to enrich other people’s lives, just as so many have done for me”.
It was initially reported Saturday afternoon that Brady had decided to call it a career. Not long after, though, it came out that he had not personally informed anyone on the Bucs of his intentions one way or another, although the general belief was still that he would not be retuning in 2022. Brady informed Bucs GM Jason Licht of his final decision Monday night, via Greg Auman of The Athletic (on Twitter). Now, having confirmed it himself, we know that the man who has entirely re-written the NFL record books and won more Super Bowls himself than any franchise has hung up his cleats for good.