Tom Brady, 45, says he's retiring 'for good' from NFL: 'Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream.'

NFL legend Tom Brady said Wednesday morning he's retiring "for good."

Exactly one year ago, Brady said he was retiring — but changed his mind 40 days later and returned as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past season, ESPN reported.

Here's what the 45-year-old signal caller — who won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Bucs — had to say on social media:

"Good morning, guys. I'll get to the point right away: I'm retiring — for good," Brady said.

He added: "I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I'd just press record and let you guys know first. So I won't be long-winded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year, so really, thank you guys so much, to every single one of you, for supporting me."

At this point Brady did appear to get a bit emotional as he continued: "My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors, I could go on forever, there's too many. Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn't change a thing. Love you all."

ESPN said Brady told the Buccaneers of his decision at 6 a.m. ET Wednesday.

The sports network noted that Brady is the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649) and is a three-time league MVP. This season he passed for 4,694 yards — third most in the NFL — and threw 25 touchdown passes, ESPN added.

Brady is the only player to win more than five Super Bowls and has been named Super Bowl MVP five times, the sports network added.

More from ESPN:

Brady can immediately begin working as an analyst for Fox Sports, who signed him to a 10-year, $375 million contract this past summer. He also launched a BRADY brand clothing line one year ago, has a successful health and wellness brand called TB12 Sports and founded his own production company, 199 Productions (a nod to his selection as the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft).

Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen finalized their divorce this past fall, during the Bucs' season. It ended a 13-year marriage between two superstars who respectively reached the pinnacles of football and fashion.

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