Tom Brady Retiring From NFL, ESPN Reports

Tom Brady has officially decided to retire from the NFL, ESPN is reporting. 

Perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady competed in 22 seasons in the league. He won seven Super Bowl championships between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady is now 44 years old, and sources tell ESPN that his family and health were among the reasons that influenced his decision to retire at this time.

It's not immediately clear when Brady will make his official announcement about his decision to retire from the league. Brady was clear in recent interviews that he did not want to have a "farewell season."

It's unlikely, however, his announcement would upstage the attention around the upcoming Super Bowl game, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 13.

Brady will retire as the league's all-time leader in wins as a quarterback, passing attempts and completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.

He started his career in 2001 with the New England Patriots, where he won 6 Super Bowls before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was with the Buccaneers that Brady won his 7th (and final) championship.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 13-4 in the regular season, easily winning the NFC South title.

In the playoffs, Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round (by a score of 31 to 15).

However, they lost last Sunday (January 23) to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs in a very close game, that ended with a score of 30-27.