Quarterback Tom Brady, often billed as the greatest American football player in history, announced Tuesday (March 17th) that he is leaving his team forever, the New England Patriots, several American media saying he will continue his career NFL at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"My adventure in American football will lead me elsewhere", wrote in a long message posted on Twitter, the 42-year-old, who will have spent twenty seasons in New England marked by six victories in the Super Bowl, an absolute record for a player in the Professional League (NFL).
FOREVER A PATRIOT https://t.co/QSBOJBs4uy
"I have just lived the happiest two decades that I could have imagined", wrote the man who played 285 games in the Patriots' jersey, for which he thanks "Supporters, management and teammates, current and former".
Four times Superbowl MVP
Brady has competed in nine Super Bowl editions, won six and been crowned four times best player (MVP) in these finals, an all-time record in all three categories. He was also named the best player in the regular season three times (MVP).
Brady's departure also puts an end to his association, the most prolific in history in terms of titles, with Bill Belichick, who until now has been his only coach, at the head of "Pats" when the franchise drafted young Brady at 6e tower (199e position) in 2000.
Known to be talkative and even less demonstrative, Belichick praised "The greatest quarterback of all time", in a press release. "It’s a privilege to have coached Tom Brady for twenty yearssaid Belichick. He didn’t just do well. He didn’t just win. He won championships over and over again. Sometimes in life, it takes time to really appreciate something or someone, but that's not the case with Tom. "
$ 30 million contract per season
The 42-year-old Californian, born at the end of the Patriots' contract, has not indicated where he will play next season.
The Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders were potential contenders, but several U.S. media sources report that Brady is about to enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a multi-year contract, at $ 30 million a season.
The Florida franchise, which has not reached play-offs since 2007, will host the next Superbowl in February 2021. And while its quarterback, Jameis Winston, launched as many touchdowns as it was caught, thirty Once, in the past season, coach Bruce Arians, Brady's longtime admirer, has assured that the Patriots star is the only player he will try to recruit if the opportunity arises.
In 2017, Brady, husband of former top model Gisele Bündchen, said in an interview with ESPN that he saw himself playing until the age of 45, but also that he did not rule out d 'go further if his physical condition permits.
Quarterback George Blanda holds the record for the oldest player to play in an NFL game, aged 48, in 1976.
