american football
First the farewell, now the return – superstar Tom Brady is on a title mission
Tom Brady on the football field in August 2022
© Zach Bolinger/AP/DPA
At the start of the new NFL season, a lot revolves around Tom Brady. The football superstar has postponed the end of his career. Now he’s reaching for his eighth Super Bowl triumph.
Actually, Tom Brady had already declared his dazzling career over. But the football superstar only lasted 40 days as a sports pensioner. There is still work to be done, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback announced. His place is still on the field, according to the seven-time Super Bowl winner.
Publicly, his wife Gisele Bundchen welcomed this sudden about-face with joy. In the gossip columns, however, it was recently speculated that the 42-year-old was actually hoping for more time together with Brady and the children. “Everyone has their situations that they have to deal with,” Brady said recently. “You have to manage life as well as you can. It’s an ongoing process,” said the doyen.
Tom Brady and his huge ambition
Brady’s ambition is legendary. The playmaker holds all important NFL records in his position. Even in the previous season, which ended rudely with the end of the playoff quarterfinals against the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams, the model professional again led the most important statistics. Brady was once again voted Player of the Year in a league poll of NFL professionals.
In testing for his Bucs’ season start against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Brady looked fit, focused and accurate in his shots. “Tom is Tom. He’s our leader. It’s a great feeling to have him back. He’s an icon,” said teammate Rachaad White. The new head coach Todd Bowles rejected doubts about Brady’s commitment and dedication after his eleven-day break: “He’s been in all-in mode since he’s with us. That’s the same now.”
With Brady’s decision to return, it was also clear that Tampa would have to wait to build a team for the future. Everything was once again geared towards quick success in West Florida, and the squad was expensively reinforced with tried-and-tested auxiliaries for Brady. Soliciting a contract extension with Brady’s brilliant partner Rob Gronkowski was unsuccessful, but the Buccaneers are still among the closest circle of title contenders.
Tom Brady: “I feel pretty good”
But can Brady work his magic again in his 23rd NFL season? Even ahead of the Bucs, the Buffalo Bills and new signing Von Miller are traded by pundits and betting shops as the top favorite to win the Super Bowl, which will be played on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. “I’ve played so much football, many seasons, many games, many practices – I feel pretty good,” Brady said calmly.
The still burning hunger of the title collector also pleases many fans in Germany. So a lucky few will still be able to watch Brady live at work on November 13th in Munich. Then Tampa Bay meets the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL’s first competitive game in Germany.