Brady’s Goodbye

02/02/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning,

After a weekend whirlwind of Tom Brady’s retirement pump-fake, the GOAT made it official on Tuesday. TB12 is officially done, and he’ll get The Underdog nod in tomorrow’s edition. We also preview the looming NBA trade deadline with today’s Sportsletter special from contributor Matthew Cahill.

Letter Rip!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

NFL

Brady’s Goodbye

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

After 22 Seasons & 7 Super Bowl Rings, Tom Brady Officially Retires From Football

Now it’s over. After Sunday’s media blitz with the leaked news reporting Tom Brady’s retirement, the GOAT has officially hung it up. TB12 announced the news on social media Tuesday morning.

Tom Brady’s Retirement Post

“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition—if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game. There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life…

“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore. I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”

Tom Brady’s Career (By the Numbers)

22 Seasons

7 Super Bowl Rings (1st All-Time)

5 Super Bowl MVPs (1st All-Time)

3 NFL MVPs (T-2nd All-Time)

243 Wins (1st All-Time)

624 Passing TDs (1st All-Time)

84,520 Passing Yards (1st All-Time)

35 Playoff Wins (1st All-Time)

The greatest quarterback of all-time rides off into the sunset…

Additional Storylines

ESPN+: The Limitless Life of Tom Brady

SI: How Tom Brady, the Person and the Process, Made Greatness Seem Routine

USA Today: Who Will be the Next Tom Brady? Probably No One, But These 7 QBs Have a Shot

_________________________________________________________________________________________

NBA

NBA Trade Deadline Heats Up

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Sportsletter Special: Previewing the NBA Trade Deadline (Thursday, Feb. 10)

By Matthew Cahill

When February comes around on the calendar, it usually means that a few major trades are brewing. The annual trade deadline puts pressure on general managers across the league to either shake things up or stand pat with the roster they have. This year’s trade market is an interesting one that has certain teams with assets looking to make a splash, while other teams with bigger names have struggled to move their stars for various reasons.

With a little more than a week to go before the deadline, here’s a look at the players and teams to keep an eye on in the coming days.

Players to Watch

Ben Simmons (76ers)

Domantas Sabonis (Pacers)

John Collins (Hawks)

Harrison Barnes (Kings)

Eric Gordon (Rockets)

Goran Dragic (Raptors)

Teams to Watch

Pacers, Celtics, Hawks, Kings, Lakers

Read Full Story (TheSportsletter.com)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

NBA

The Dunk Contest Field is Locked

Photo: Abbie Parr / Getty Images

2022 NBA Slam Dunk & Rising Stars Participants Revealed

The 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend is fast approaching, and Tuesday brought out the list of players taking the stage for the ancillary events. Four new high-flyers will join the dunk contest while the Rising Stars rosters feature plenty of firepower. Here’s the who’s who of All-Star Weekend:

Dunk Contest Participants

Jalen Green (Rockets)

Obi Toppin (Knicks)

Cole Anthony (Magic)

Juan Toscano-Anderson (Warriors)

Rising Stars Challenge

Rookies: Scottie Barnes (TOR), Cade Cunningham (DET), Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), Chris Duarte (IND), Josh Giddey (OKC), Jalen Green (HOU), Herbert Jones (NOP), Davion Mitchell (SAC), Evan Mobley (CLE), Alperen Sengun (HOU), Jalen Suggs (ORL), Franz Wagner (ORL)

Sophomores: Precious Achiuwa (TOR), Cole Anthony (ORL), Desmond Bane (MEM), LaMelo Ball (CHA), Saddiq Bey (DET), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Tyrese Maxey (PHI), Jaden McDaniels (MIN), Isaac Okoro (CLE), Isaiah Stewart (DET), Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)

*3-Point Contest & Skills Challenge Participants TBD

NBA All-Star Weekend

Friday (Feb. 18) — Sunday (Feb. 20)

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: NBA Rising Stars Player Pool Revealed for Revamped Format

_________________________________________________________________________________________

THE HIGHLIGHTS

NBA: Giannis Triple-Double Powers Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo got Tuesday’s game ball with a 33-point triple double (33-15-11) in the Bucks’ win over the Wizards (112-98). Giannis shot 66 percent from the field (14-for-21) to push Milwaukee within 1.5 games of the Eastern Conference lead.

NHL: Kreider Extends Goal Lead in Rangers Win

The Rangers kept pace with the Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division by striking down the Panthers and ending their four-game win streak on Tuesday (5-2). Chris Kreider scored twice in the win to give him the NHL lead in goals (33).

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#10 Kansas def. #20 Iowa State (70-61)

#14 Texas Tech def. #23 Texas (77-64)

NCAA Women’s Basketball

#20 Notre Dame def. #3 NC State (69-66)

#4 Louisville def. Miami (69-66)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

THE HEADLINES