‘Excited, humble and hungry’: Tom Brady posts his ‘$30million-a-year’ Tampa Bay Buccaneers contract signing on Instagram as America struggles with coronavirus crisis
- Tom Brady has finally signed his new deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- It’s reportedly worth $30 million a year, but the contract length wasn’t reported
- NFL free agent contracts were permitted to be signed as early as Wednesday
- However, many deals have not been officially signed because the league requires players to do so in person, but were unable to amid the NFL travel ban
- Players are required to take physicals. Brady reportedly took his in New York
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Tom Brady has a new employer for the first time in 20 years after the longtime New England Patriots quarterback officially signed his free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers believed to be worth $30 million annually.
NFL free agents were permitted to sign contracts beginning Wednesday after word of Brady’s agreement with Tampa Bay had been reported by multiple outlets. However, the league’s requirements regarding contract signatures and player physicals coupled with the NFL’s coronavirus travel ban delayed the proceedings.
ESPN reported Thursday that Brady took his physical in New York. The contract is worth $30 million annually, according to NFL Network, but the exact length of the contract has not yet been reported.
Tom Brady has a new employer for the first time in 20 years after
Brady commemorated the moment by posting a picture of the signing on Instagram while also giving his son Jack a photo credit.
‘Excited, humble and hungry,’ Brady’s post began. ‘if there is one thing I have learned about football, it’s that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that…you earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day.
‘I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the @buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do. I look forward to meeting all my new teammates and coaches and proving to them that they can believe and trust in me…I have always believed that well done is better than well said, so I’m gonna not gonna say much more – I’m just gonna get to work! #Year1
‘p.s. Jack Brady with the photocred.’
Following reports of his agreement with Tampa Bay, Bucs fans and ESPN’s graphics department got busy rendering images of Brady in the team’s red and gray uniforms
Some fans have modified the Buccaneers’ original logo – the image of a swashbuckling pirate named ‘Bucco’ – replacing the face with a winking Brady sporting eye black
This was Brady’s first foray into free agency after being under contract with the Patriots for the previous two decades, winning six Super Bowls and three NFL MVP awards over that time.
The former sixth-round pick now moves on to Tampa, where coach Bruce Arians and elite wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin hope to join Brady for his 10th Super Bowl appearance next season.
Even before the deal was made official, the Buccaneers saw a spike in season ticket requests and there are reports that Tampa is now a much-desired free agent destination.
‘Since word surfaced that Tom Brady is expected to land in Tampa, an unexpected high number of players have reached out to the Buccaneers to let them know they want to join the former Patriots’ QB there, per league sources,’ ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
The Buccaneers could certainly use more talent following a 7-9 campaign in 2019, but their biggest need may be in the stands, where the club ranked 30th among 32 teams in home attendance last season, averaging 51,898 per game.
Within hours of reports of the team closing in on a deal with Brady, the website selling season passes for 2020 showed more than 2,400 people in a queue waiting for an opportunity to make purchases.
Following reports of his agreement with Tampa Bay, Bucs fans and ESPN’s graphics department got busy rendering images of Brady in the team’s red and gray uniforms. Others modified the team’s original logo – the image of a swashbuckling pirate named ‘Bucco’ – replacing the face with a winking Brady sporting eye black.
Brady ended his historic run in New England, announcing on social media Tuesday that he would become a free agent for the first time in his career.