TAMPA, Fla. — The GOAT has made it official: Tom Brady, No. 12, is riding off into the sunset.

The 22-year-veteran, who quarterbacked the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins and the Tampa Bay Bucs to a title last year, confirmed on Instagram Tuesday morning that he is finished as an NFL player.

ESPN first reported that Brady was going to retire, followed by confirmations from the Boston Globe and other outlets, but the QB told the Bucs' front office and said he had not made a decision. His father and agent said the same thing.

But Tuesday's Instagram post cleared up the matter definitively.

"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," Brady wrote on Instagram. "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," he continued. "I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved."

"My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it's best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes," he added.

Brady in the past has stated a desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children.

He will walk away as the NFL's career leader in numerous passing categories and most prolific winner. He's also going out at the top of his game.

"I’m super appreciative that he came to Tampa Bay," said receiver Mike Evans, a longtime Bucs receiver who had never experienced the postseason until Brady came on board. "Nobody had no clue he was even leaving New England. Just very privileged to play with him."

The Bucs went from a franchise that hadn’t advanced to the playoffs in 13 years to Super Bowl favorites when No. 12 joined the fold.

"Those expectations, you know, they make diamonds. I think you saw that over the last couple of years," said teammate Ryan Jensen.

Brady brought the relevance back to Tampa Bay. He brought the national spotlight. He taught the Bucs what it really means to be a professional. And he taught them how to win.

Brady led the NFL in yards passing (5,316), touchdowns (43), completions (485) and attempts (719), but the Buccaneers lost at home to the Rams in the divisional round after rallying from a 27-3 deficit to tie in the final minute. 

Brady and the Bucs won the Super Bowl after the 2020 season, becoming the first team to play the big game in its own stadium.

NFL commissioner: Brady always rose to occasion in biggest moments

"Tom Brady will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL. An incredible competitor and leader, his stellar career is remarkable for its longevity but also for the sustained excellence he displayed year after year.

"Tom made everyone around him better and always seemed to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments. His record five Super Bowl MVP awards and seven Super Bowl championships set a standard that players will chase for years.

"He inspired fans in New England, Tampa and around the world with one of the greatest careers in NFL history. It has been a privilege to watch him compete and have him in the NFL. We thank him for his many contributions to our game and wish Tom and his family all the best in the future."

MVPs and Super Bowl rings

Brady won three NFL MVP awards, was a first-team All-Pro three times and was selected to the Pro Bowl 15 times. He was 243-73 in his career in the regular season and 35-12 in the playoffs.

Brady went from 199th pick in the 2000 draft to replacing an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001 and leading New England to a Super Bowl victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams that season.

Brady led the Patriots to consecutive Super Bowl titles following the 2003-04 seasons. No team has since repeated as champions.

But New England wouldn’t win another one for a decade, twice losing to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, including a 17-14 defeat on Feb. 3, 2008, that prevented the Patriots from completing a perfect season.

Brady earned his fourth ring after the 2014 season. Two years later, in the biggest Super Bowl comeback, he led the Patriots out of a 28-3 deficit in the third quarter against Atlanta to win in overtime for No. 5. Brady got his sixth championship when New England beat the Rams following the 2018 season.

He joined the Buccaneers in 2020 amid a pandemic, instantly transforming a franchise that hadn’t won a playoff game in 18 years. His buddy Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement to join him and they helped the Buccaneers become the first team to play in a Super Bowl in its stadium.

“He set a standard and helped create a culture that took our team to the mountaintop,” Coach Bruce Arians said.

Brady reached the playoffs 19 times, won 18 division titles, went 10-4 in conference championships and 7-3 in Super Bowls.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.