Tom Brady's Un-Retirement Announcement Leaves Fans on Social Media Stunned

By Brian Jones - March 14, 2022 12:58 pm EDT

Tom Brady is not going anywhere. After announcing his retirement from the NFL in February, the seven-time Super Bowl champion said he's coming back for the 2022 season. Brady will be the starting QB from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and revealed the news on social media.

"These past two months I've realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,'' Brady wrote. "That time will come. But it's not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa.''

It's not clear what unfinished business he has since he has won more Super Bowls than any other player. But the Buccaneers are happy to have him back. "We are thrilled that Tom has decided to come back this season," General Manager Jason Licht said in a statement. "We said we would leave all options open for him should he reconsider his retirement and today's announcement is something we have been preparing for in recent days. Bruce and I have had plenty of conversations with Tom recently that led us to believe there was a realistic chance he would want to come back. Tom is the greatest quarterback of all time who is still playing at an elite level. With this decision now made, we will continue to move forward with our offseason plans to reload this roster for another championship run." Here's a look at social media reacting to Brady's return.

The Announcement

These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022

One person wrote: "Tom I respect your decision to return back to the game. I'm very disappointed however. You are taking away an opportunity for a future star to raise up in the rankings of the NFL."

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One Possible Reason

Tom Brady sat in the pickup line at school for six weeks and said nah I’d rather let Aaron Donand piledrive me into the earth than go out like this
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) March 14, 2022

Another fan wrote: "None of us knew how to function in a league without him, I was 14 the year he was drafted. This is like the landline for our parents. We need this connection to football. Without it, I'm not sure I know how to go on."

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Shorter than the Lockout

The MLB lockout lasted longer than Tom Brady’s retirement 😂 pic.twitter.com/y9JtVxXRMz
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 14, 2022

One fan wrote: "The Bucs re-signed Brady only after confirming their delivery of a year's supply of Geritol. Wait do millinials know what that is?"

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Not Happy

NFL teams seeing that Tom Brady is coming out of retirement pic.twitter.com/m7pUZuK2LT
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) March 13, 2022

One Twitter user wrote: "Having already won more Super Bowls than any other QB in history, he's now trying to see if he can be in the NFL longer than Vladimir Putin can be president of Russia."

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The Ronaldo Effect

Tom Brady coming out of retirement a day after watching Cristiano Ronaldo score a hat-trick at 37-years old.

The GOAT inspired the GOAT to run it back one last time! 🐐👊 pic.twitter.com/69Sxookrnz
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 14, 2022

One person responded: "Yes, Brady had no intention of returning until he met Ronaldo.... 4 hours can change an entire life decision..."

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Nightmares Come True

I had a nightmare Tom Brady unretired
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) March 14, 2022

One fan responded: "At least Dallas will get at least one more chance to beat him. 0-6 all time. They've lost almost as many to him as he has Superbowls."

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Real Talk

Here’s the reality.

This isn’t about unfinished business. It’s abt Tom Brady struggling with his identity as anything other than a FB player.

Which, for the first time, makes him just like every other lifelong athlete.

“Who am I… now?” can be a terrifying burden to take on.
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) March 14, 2022

And this fan responded: "I think you hit it right on the head, a person who's done nothing but play football all his life doesn't know anything thing else to do. It's like a lifer military person, after they leave the service they struggle with 'what's next.'"

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