Jan 4, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with the media after a loss to the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports.
For what would appear to be the final time, unless we’re undergoing a Brett Favre-esque saga, Tom Brady says goodbye. Officially retiring from the NFL this morning, he thwarts becoming a free agent and turns from a return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In saying goodbye, he also bids adieu to Minnesota.
Although Brady was born in California, his mother, Galynn, entered the world in the small town of Browerville, Minnesota. Brady played his college ball at Michigan and spent the entirety of his time in the NFL playing for teams on the east coast. Calling New England and Tampa Bay home, Minnesota was never more than a footnote for Brady.
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As previously reported, Minnesota holds a dear place in Brady’s heart. Despite never suiting up for the Vikings, he returned to the state during the summers to create new memories. Brady also played in the only Super Bowl hosted by U.S. Bank Stadium, and despite losing to Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles, Brady entered that season as a reigning Super Bowl champion.
Over the course of his career, 23 years to be exact, Brady matched up against the Vikings a handful of times. He never lost to Minnesota in six games while posting a 12-2 touchdown to interception ratio. He was sacked a total of just six times.
Former Minnesota legend Randy Moss was one of Brady’s most prolific pass catchers for a period of his career. The pair combined for 50 touchdowns, punctuated by a league-high 23 back in Moss’ debut season with the Patriots.
It’s not as though the Minnesota Vikings will gain a significant advantage by avoiding Tom Brady, but there is no denying that having such a good competitor out of the league will make their task easier any time they face a team that he could have led. Unfortunately, the last time Brady played the Vikings, fans were not in attendance during the 2020 pandemic season. The Buccaneers traveled to U.S. Bank Stadium that season for a 26-14 win. Despite generating just 196 yards, Brady threw two touchdowns, bringing Tampa home a victory.
As was the case in 2020, the Vikings will again play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. They know it will be without Brady this time, and Kevin O’Connell’s team will need to gameplan for someone new being under center. Fans that had the game circled, hoping to see the all-time great live, will need to find a new reason to get excited about the opponent.
It certainly feels bittersweet when someone as good as Brady says goodbye to the game. We must watch as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Justin Herbert attempt to take over the torch. Aaron Rodgers is also on the downside of his career, and although Matthew Stafford may challenge some of the usage records, he won’t ever be in the same conversation.
Watching Brady play all of these years has been a joy. His mother, Galynn, still has plenty of people in Minnesota that lay a small claim to her son. While it’s the NFL he’s walking away from, Brady also says goodbye to Minnesota.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.