Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, announced Sunday that he has changed his mind about retiring and will return to the NFL next season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Having won six titles in 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, Brady joined the Buccaneers in 2020 and led them to a championship.
Brady announced his retirement last month after being beaten in the playoffs by the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams.
Brady, who turns 45 in August, says he still hopes to win a championship at least once more.
"These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands," Brady said in a social media posting. "That time will come. But it's not now.
"I love my teammates and I love my supportive family. Without them, none of this is possible. I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa.
"We have unfinished business."
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians texted a message to the NFL Network describing his feelings as "total excitement" over Brady's return.
The Buccaneers simply posted a video of Brady on Twitter with the message: "He's baaackkkk."
It allows the Buccaneers to adjust their free agency and draft plans in time for the legendary signal caller to be back in uniform next season and not have a major vacancy to fill.
In the end, the retirement didn't last too long after taking days to become confirmed in the first place.
"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 last month in saying what proved to be a temporary farewell on social media.
"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."
Among the most excited people to hear about Brady's return was Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who had been the defender Brady victimized for his final career touchdown pass. Now other defensive backs could face that fate.
"THANK YOU," Ramsey tweeted, "throw that last touchdown on somebody else."