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Tom Brady has retired, and the day one thought would never come has finally arrived. Father Time has not spared the GOAT, and now he's officially heading off into retirement.
He announced at the beginning of the month that he was retiring. Brady had retired last year only to return, so he emphasized that he was done 'for good' this time. He has now confirmed that by submitting his official resignation letter to the league.
That puts in jeopardy the plans New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has for his former quarterback. Brady won six of his seven Super Bowls with New England, so the Patriots owner wanted him to retire as a Patriot.
It's a very common occurrence in the league where players sign one-day contracts to retire with the team they feel the closest affinity with. However, Brady's official letter of retirement has now been filed with the NFL and NFLPA, so that possibility now looks over.
What had Robert Kraft said about Tom Brady's retirement as a Patriot?
Robert Kraft said that he wanted Tom Brady to retire as a Patriot and had broached the subject in an interview too. He had mentioned signing the GOAT to a one-day contract. The Patriots owner reaffirmed their connection and said:
"He (Tom Brady) is a New England Patriot; all of America knows that."
However, in many ways, it was wishful thinking. It's known from past experience that Brady's time in New England did not end well. Brady felt he was being pushed out and his capabilities were doubted, primarily by coach Bill Belichick.
That rift probably never healed. Even in last year's retirement announcement, he only mentioned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not mention the New England Patriots, which left a lot of people associated with the organization fuming.
It seems to be similar to the case of Calvin Johnson. The Detroit Lions legend does not have a good working relationship with the team. It seems Brady falls more in this bracket than among the group of players who remember their former team fondly.
Whether time will heal these wounds remains to be seen. Tom Brady has his personal life to deal with, especially having to look after his kids, after separating from Gisele Bundchen last year.
He also has a FOX contract to look forward to. It's expected that the recently retired NFL quarterback will remain busy with these issues rather than worrying about what people back in New England want him to do.
