Munich – Yes, what now? Is it really possible that the story of the day, of the year, of the decade is a canard?
After the US media unanimously announced the end of Tom Brady’s career, the GOAT is said to have personally contradicted it.
NFL Network’s Michael Silver tweeted, “Tom Brady has contacted Bucccaneers general manager Jason Licht, contradicting the ESPN report and emphasizing that he has not yet made a final decision about retiring. Licht respects Brady’s actions and is paying attention a definitive answer whenever he gets it direct from the quarterback.”
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
“The Athletic” reporter Jeff Howe even said that Brady hasn’t even come close to making a decision.
Tom Brady called the Bucs late this afternoon to inform them he’s not even close to making a decision about retirement, according to a source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 29, 2022
Earlier, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter released a statement from Brady’s agent Don Yee that sounds neither like a confirmation nor a denial. “I understand the speculation surrounding Tom’s future. Without judging the accuracy or inaccuracy of the reports, Tom will be the only one who can state his plans with absolute accuracy. He knows the realities of the football business and the planning calendar pretty well no other. So that should be the case soon.”
Arians knows nothing
What could actually speak for a hoax is that key people in Brady’s environment are said to have been completely taken by surprise. “They didn’t see it coming,” tweeted Albert Breer, NFL reporter for NFL Network and the Dallas Morning News.
About an hour ago, I asked Bucs coach @BruceArians if @TomBrady had informed the team that he’s retiring. He responded via text, “No, he hasn’t.” Other key people here have also said privately they didn’t know this was coming.
We’ll see. https://t.co/YLLeapCkku
– Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 29, 2022
Breer also reached out directly to Bucs head coach Bruce Arians and asked if Brady had communicated his departure to the team yet. “No, he didn’t,” Arians is said to have replied via text message. The Bucs have not yet made an official statement.
Brady’s father denies stepping down
Brady’s father, Tom Brady Sr., confirmed to NFL Network reporter Mike Giardi that his son has not resigned. “This story is pure speculation. Tommy hasn’t made a decision yet, in any direction. Anyone who claims that is dead wrong.”
Checked in with Tom Brady Sr. who tells me, and I quote, “This story Mike is total conjecture. Tommy has not made a final decision one way or the other and anybody else that says that he has is absolutely wrong.” #TomBrady #Buccaneers
– Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 29, 2022
There is now speculation on social networks as to whether Brady might actually want to resign, might change his mind again due to the hasty reporting. It would be quite a GOAT move.
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