Tom Brady, arguably the greatest NFL quarterback, confirmed his retirement from the NFL after 22 seasons, ending a career spanning several decades and one that saw him acquire seven Super Bowl championships. Earlier this week, there were speculation and conflicting reports that Brady, 44, was retiring after his team, the Tampa Bay Buccanneers was knocked out of the playoffs earlier in January. But Brady put an end to the rumors on Tuesday morning in a lengthy statement posted to his social media accounts. “This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” he wrote. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.” A seven-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and Buccaneers—and the NFL’s career leader in numerous passing categories—Brady …