NFL star Tom Brady officially announces retirement

NFL star Tom Brady on Tuesday officially announces retirement. 

The 44-year-old Brady made the announcement on Instagram, following unconfirmed news reports this past weekend.

Brady, now considered the greatest quarterback in National Football League history, retires after winning seven Super Bowls and in his 22 years in the league.

"This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore," Brady wrote on the Instagram post that included a picture of him in. a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform. "I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”

Brady has long said he wants to spend more time with his family, and his decision was widely expected after the Buccaneers lost in the playoffs two weekends ago.