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‘Re-upping this’: Ex-NFLers, politicians, even Gisele offer Tom Brady congrats on retirement

By Travis Andersen Globe Staff,Updated February 1, 2023, 1:40 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady smiles during warmups before an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. Brady, who won a record seven Super Bowls for New England and Tampa, has announced his retirement, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.Hakim Wright Sr./Associated Press

Athletes, celebs, and pols reacted with appreciation and a few pithy jokes to Tom Brady’s announcement Wednesday morning that he’s retiring from the NFL, this time “for good.” Even ex-wife Gisele Bundchen sent her best wishes.

Among those who quickly took to Twitter to weigh in was former pro linebacker Emmanuel Acho, now a commentator.

“Watching Tom Brady get choked up announcing his retirement nearly brought me to tears. We’ll miss you GOAT,” Acho tweeted, using the well-worn acronym for “greatest of all time.”

Bundchen, who finalized her divorce from Brady in October after 13 years of marriage, also posted well-wishes.

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“Wishing you only wonderful things in this new chapter of your life,” she wrote on Instagram, adding a prayer hands emoji.

Others, including sports radio host Ken Carman, made allusions to Brady’s previous retirement announcement last year that TB12 quickly backtracked on.

“Tom Brady making his retirement video in 2050,” Carman jokingly posted above a photo of a bloodied Ric Flair, a pro wrestler known for his flamboyance and — like Brady — remarkable longevity in his chosen craft.

Former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, now the US secretary of labor, also poked fun at Brady’s false start on retirement last year.

“Re-upping this - Congratulations @TomBrady,” Walsh tweeted Wednesday, quote-tweeting his earlier message from January 2022 after Brady’s first retirement announcement. At that point, Walsh called Brady the “greatest of all time” and said, “Thank you for the memories.”

The Patriots pulled something similar Wednesday, tweeting out thanks to their former signal caller above their January 2022 retirement message.

“Thank you again, @TomBrady,” the team tweeted at 9:16 a.m. Wednesday.

Three hours later, the team tweeted out a link to a photo montage showing Brady during his two-decade run in Foxborough.

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Famed defensive end J.J. Watt, who recently announced his own retirement from professional football, also lauded Brady Wednesday.

“Greatest of All Time,” Watt tweeted. “No question, no debate. It’s been an honor and a privilege. PS - The newly retired group meets on the golf course every morning at 10am. Drinks are on the new guy, so bring your wallet.”

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, simply tweeted three GOAT emojis above Brady’s video announcement. Mahomes will try to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 12.

Ryan Jensen, an offensive lineman who played with Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also wished him well and thanked the future Hall of Famer for motivating him each day during the season.

He also asked that Brady go easy on him when the former quarterback moves into his new job as a commentator for Fox Sports.

“Thanks for pushing me everyday this season mentally and physically to get back on the field,” Jensen tweeted. ”I’m glad I was able to take the field with you one last time! Enjoy retirement, don’t dog me too much in the [broadcast] booth. Love ya man!”

Even the website golf.com, a preferred destination for duffers, saluted Brady.

“Congrats on retirement, @TomBrady,” the site tweeted over a video clip of Brady on the links. “Here’s to more of this.”

Brady’s announcement came a year to the day after he first said he would no longer make the “competitive commitment” to football — before changing his mind soon after and returning to the Buccaneers.

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“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time,” Brady said in a video he posted to social media. “So when I woke up this morning I figured I’d just press record.

“I’ll get to the point right away: I’m retiring. For good.”

Brady, who spent 20 years in New England and won six Super Bowls as a member of the Patriots, joined the Buccaneers after the 2019 season — his first in free agency — and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

On Wednesday, political journalist David Corn also couldn’t resist the online Brady chatter, cheekily linking the announcement to George Santos, the embattled congressman who has quickly developed a reputation for telling implausible lies.

“BREAKING: Tom Brady announces retirement,” Corn tweeted. “In related news, George Santos announces he will replace Brady as starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report.

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Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.

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