Rob Gronkowski (left) and Tom Brady (right) smiling after winning Super Bowl 55.TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

On Wednesday morning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady announced that he is (again) retiring from football. The seven-time Super Bowl champion clearly made an effort to emphasize that he means it this time.

Last year, multiple reports had indicated that the seven-time Super Bowl champion was planning to retire, and then he made the announcement official via social media. This time, however, the 45-year-old Brady announced his decision before the media could do so.

Brady’s longtime teammate, Rob Gronkowski, shared a heartfelt message for the future Hall of Famer on Twitter following the retirement announcement.

Gronkowski and Brady played together with the New England Patriots from 2010 to 2018. After helping the organization to a third Super Bowl championship in the 2018 season, Gronkowski announced his retirement from football.

But one month after Brady left New England to sign with the Bucs, Gronkowski came out of retirement and orchestrated a trade to Tampa. In their first year together with the Buccaneers, Brady and Gronk led the organization to a Super Bowl 55 championship

Gronkowski returned to the Buccaneers on a one-year deal in 2021. Despite returning to a Pro Bowl-like form, the future Hall of Famer decided to retire for good last offseason. Less than a year later, Brady has now followed suit.

Last year, Brady signed a $375 million contract with FOX to take over as the analyst for the No. 1 commentary team that features play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt and sideline reporter Erin Andrews. Former NFL tight end Greg Olsen is the analyst for the top commentary team, but it’s only a matter of time until Brady replaces him there.

Brady retires a seven-time Super Bowl champion with three MVP awards, five Super Bowl MVP awards and the all-time lead in passing yards, passing touchdowns and quarterback wins.