Twitter users had fun at the expense of ESPN after their report of Tom Brady’s retirement was refuted.
Saturday, Jan. 29 was a huge day in the NFL world. A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington indicated that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was retiring after 22 seasons. This came less than a day after a report from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora said that those close to Brady believed that he would retire.
Sure enough the ESPN report was refuted after it dropped. NFL Twitter decided to roast ESPN for jumping the gun on the report.
ESPN: It’s over. Tom Brady’s done.
— Master (@MasterTes) January 29, 2022
Brady: pic.twitter.com/5zIA7mlud8
Tom Brady to ESPN: pic.twitter.com/33ye9gTQa3
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 29, 2022
ESPN: “Tom Brady retiring!”
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 29, 2022
Tom Brady: pic.twitter.com/RUD8pHQNZf
Adam Schefter when he and ESPN jumped the gun on the Tom Brady retirement announcement. pic.twitter.com/hDGX1rav6P
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) January 29, 2022
Tom Brady @ ESPN right now: pic.twitter.com/m1CvPieFek
— Cade Onder (@Cade_Onder) January 29, 2022
ESPN : Tom Brady is retiring
— PointGod➐ (@Point_God_11) January 29, 2022
Tom Brady : pic.twitter.com/FlEXl8GoF7
https://twitter.com/ThatBlitzGuy/status/1487533994723971076?s=20&t=lcOSVoLAPxByhauhWTRX0Q
This is a behind-the-scenes look @espn right now as they're trying to get to the truth about Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/6nPiSOjJOk
— Derin McMains (@McMainsDmac) January 29, 2022
ESPN: Brady has retired
— Clint Irle (@ClintIrle_117) January 29, 2022
*Reports 30 minutes ago show he’s made no official announcement*@TomBrady:#GOAT pic.twitter.com/aQyeL6jpkR
NFL Twitter roasts ESPN for refuted Tom Brady report
The uncertainty regarding Brady’s playing status only increased after NFL insider Mike Silver reported that the quarterback informed Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht that he has not made a decision yet.
Then, Tom Brady Sr. told Kron 4 News, via Kylen Mills, that his son is not retiring.
Prior to either of those reports dropping, Brady’s agent Don Yee released a statement saying that he has yet to make a decision and that he “will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy.”
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that despite the pushback from Brady and his dad, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback does intend to retire.
So all the NFL world can really do now is for Brady to make the announcement himself.