Wait... Did Tom Brady Actually Retire? Questions Surround Quarterback's Future After Deleted Tweet
Did Tom Brady just prank us all? After reports Saturday that the legendary quarterback would retire, there has yet to be a formal announcement from the man himself that he is calling it quits and a deleted tweet has added to the confusion.
ESPN was the first to report that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star was planning to retire, while Brady's company, TB12 Sports, posted on Twitter some of his accomplishments and ended with the comment: “Thank you for it all, @TomBrady.”
But the tweet was deleted minutes later. There has been no explanation as to why.
As of late Sunday morning, there has been no formal comment from the 44-year-old that he has quit.
Brady may have done a clever matador trick on the public, pulling the cape away as we all charged like bulls at him with a showering of praise and adoration about his illustrious career.
The "not-so-fast" move may have brought new meaning to the phrase "quarterback sneak." This could be the ultimate way for the seven-time Super Bowl champion to say, "I'm not done just yet."
Don Yee, Brady's agent, has neither confirmed nor denied that Brady has retired and noted the "accuracy or inaccuracy" of the reports that Brady has retired.
"I understand the advance speculation about Tom’s future. Without getting into the accuracy or inaccuracy of what’s being reported, Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy. He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon," Yee said in a statement.
The Associated Press on Sunday cited two sources that Brady has told the Buccaneers that he hasn’t made up his mind. The AP also reported that Brady had informed general manager Jason Licht that he has not made a decision and that Brady’s father has told reporters that a firm decision has not been made.
Most reports about an athlete's retirement are quite clear. Often the process involves an "insider" reporter citing sources that the athlete has retired. It is then followed by the athlete confirming the report in a public comment or press conference.
The fact that there is some ambiguity for a player like Brady, who was still among the best quarterbacks in the NFL after 22 seasons, makes it all the more confounding. Adding to the puzzlement is that Brady has one more year left on his contract.
Leave it up to Brady to keep everyone guessing.
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