When Tom Brady’s contract ended with the New England Patriots back in 2020, needless to say, everybody and their brother without a franchise quarterback was begging him to come play for them.
I mean, how could you not?
The greatest statistical quarterback to ever play the game of football, a proven leader with (at the time) six Super Bowl wins to prove that…
Anybody would kill to have that man on their roster.
However, there’s one team that interested in Tom at the time, but ultimately lost interest in the man towards the end, which Brady brought up in an episode of HBO’s The Shop that aired last summer.
He said the iconic line:
“One of the teams, they weren’t interested at the very end. I was thinking… ‘you’re sticking with that motherfucker?'”
When the episode aired most people thought it was San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, since Brady expressed interest in playing for his childhood team (he grew up in San Mateo, California, and idolized Joe Montana).
However, thanks to former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores’ new lawsuit against the NFL over alleged racist hiring tactics, we know the Miami Dolphins were begging their coach to meet with Brady… illegally, but it sounds a lot like the Dolphins were the team who “lost interest.”
And also… the Dolphins seem to fit that “there’s no fucking way I would’ve went to that team” profile.
And their quarterback at the time?
Ol’ Ryan Fitzpatrick… Fitzmagic baby.
We’re talking about the greatest and most likeable NFL journeyman of all time, who’s filled in the starting quarterback role for just about every NFL team that’s struggled to find a pulse since he was drafted in 2005.
True, the man is a solid game manager quarterback, but he doesn’t compare to the GOAT…
Nobody does.
Speaking of ol’ Fitzy, the man was spotted going buckwild and shirtless in five degree weather at the Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots playoff game.
Absolute LEGEND.
Tom Brady Officially Announces Retirement
Ok… NOW, it’s the end of an era.
After NFL insider Adam Schefter announced that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was officially retiring from the NFL, it set off a firestorm of people including Tom’s agent, Tom’s dad, and the Bucs coach Bruce Arians saying… “not so fast.”
However, this morning Tom Brady himself has broken his silence and has officially announced his retirement from the NFL.
After 22 seasons, the 7-time Super Bowl champ, 5-time Super Bowl MVP, 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 15-time Pro Bowler, career leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, quarterback wins and more, is hanging up the cleats for good.
He made the announcement this morning on Twitter and Instagram:
“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 and success is what I love so much about our game.
There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.
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.”
Drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th Round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the University of Michigan alum is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time.
With his retirement this year, Tom Brady will be Hall of Fame eligible beginning in 2027.
