Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady may be retiring from football after 22 seasons, but conflicting news reports are creating both confusion and skepticism.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington originally broke the story earlier today, with unnamed sources telling the reporters that the football great was going to announce his departure from the National Football League.
“Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me,” he tweeted.
Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me.
More coming on https://t.co/rDZaVFhcDQ. pic.twitter.com/6CHWmMlyXg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2022
Then, Brady’s company TB12 Sports put out a tweet about the 44-year-old’s career, which was primarily spent with the New England Patriots.
“7 Super Bowl Rings. 5 Super Bowl MVPs. 3 League MVP Awards. 22 Incredible Seasons. Thank you for it all, @TomBrady,” the tweet said, according to the Associated Press. The outlet did not include the fact that the tweet is now deleted.
Moments later, Schefter posted a statement from Brady’s agent, Don Yee, that appears to show frustration with the reports.
“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,” Yee said in a text message, according to Schefter. “He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon.”
Statement from Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee: pic.twitter.com/vbUhSToYtT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2022
Bally Sports reporter Michael Silver then tweeted at 4 p.m. ET that Brady “has not yet made a final decision on retirement.”
Report for @BallySports: Tom Brady contacted @Buccaneers GM Jason Licht and told him he has not yet made a final decision on retirement, disputing the ESPN report. Licht is respecting Brady’s process and waiting for a definitive answer, whenever it comes, from the QB.
Report for @BallySports: Tom Brady contacted @Buccaneers GM Jason Licht and told him he has not yet made a final decision on retirement, disputing the ESPN report. Licht is respecting Brady's process and waiting for a definitive answer, whenever it comes, from the QB.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 29, 2022
KRON4 in San Francisco also issued a conflicting report from ESPN, as Tom Brady Sr. reportedly told the outlet that news of his son’s retirement is false.
“JUST IN: Tom Brady Sr. tells @kron4news that his son is not retiring. Brady Sr. says an online publication started circulating an unsubstantiated rumor. However a number of NFL insiders are now reporting it,” journalist Kylen Mills tweeted.
JUST IN: Tom Brady Sr. tells @kron4news that his son is not retiring. Brady Sr. says an online publication started circulating an unsubstantiated rumor. However a number of NFL insiders are now reporting it. @kron4news #TomBrady #NFL
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) January 29, 2022
Related: Serial Winner Tom Brady Launches Apparel Brand
Could this be a situation similar to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement announcement earlier this week, which was leaked before Breyer wanted it to become public knowledge? Possibly.
This is an important reminder that even major media outlets can release details that are premature or incorrect. The full truth will not be known until Brady himself confirms or denies these reports.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member