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Schefter: Bucs 'didn't give up hope' on Tom Brady's return (2:37)

Tom Brady shocked the football world when he said he would return for a 23rd season. There is a time and a place for it.

8:25 PM ET

Retirement? What is retirement?

On a day dominated by college basketball, Tom Brady turned the spotlight squarely back on the NFL with one unexpected message.

The message began, "These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands."

The version that didn't read? Brady is back.

The 44-year-old will be returning to the team he played for for the past two seasons. Brady won his seventh Super Bowl ring in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after his 20-year tenure with the New England Pats came to an end.

These past two months I've realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it's not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022

Here is what the sports world had to say about the return of the GOAT.

LFG!

— Mike Evans (@MikeEvans13_) March 13, 2022

😁

— Mike Edwards (@M__Edwards7) March 13, 2022

😎 https://t.co/XAhbyKbrLj

— Chris Godwin (@CGtwelve_) March 13, 2022

LFG

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 13, 2022

Wait was Brady hacked???

— ♛Chandler Jones (@chanjones55) March 13, 2022

THANK YOU❕ throw that last touchdown on somebody else 😂 https://t.co/oum3tYbjbl

— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 13, 2022

pic.twitter.com/GCfWMRZhIY

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) March 13, 2022

Is this Brady's wedding gift to Pat?

— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) March 13, 2022

I take a nap and wake up to Tom Brady coming back haha nice 😂

— F L ⚡️ S H (@Melvingordon25) March 13, 2022

!! Good for football 🐐 https://t.co/JAa545DWAT

— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) March 13, 2022

Tom said ¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/Rxl6dgixBN

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 13, 2022

guess not https://t.co/23Mr5kj0CA

— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 13, 2022

pic.twitter.com/ci6DpyjPH7

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 13, 2022

pic.twitter.com/JZybimwCdM

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 13, 2022

https://t.co/Bjc1VJyMIv pic.twitter.com/vj2m48X8v4

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) March 14, 2022

Tom Brady's retirement be like ... pic.twitter.com/8bchvx3AKA

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 13, 2022