It's no secret that multiple time Super Bowl winning New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is nearing the end of his career.
The 40-year-old signal caller has been playing in the NFL for almost 20 years and is a five-time Super Bowl winner, and a four-time MVP of the championship game. He's also a three time league MVP as well.
Brady comes off a phenomenal season that ended in the Super Bowl when he and the Patriots succumbed to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Terrific doesn't know exactly when he plans on hanging up the cleats, but he knows that time isn't too far away.
In a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey that's set to debut this weekend, Brady admits the end is coming sooner rather than later (quotes via Pro Football Talk):
“I think I’m seeing there’s definitely an end coming sooner, rather than later.”
“As long as I’m still loving it,” Brady said. “As long as I’m loving the training and the preparation and willing to make the commitment.
"But it’s also, I think what I alluded to a lot in the [Tom vs. Time] docu-series, there’s other things happening in my life, too.
"I do have kids that I love, and I don’t want to be a dad that’s not there, driving my kids to their games . . . my kids have brought a great perspective in my life.
"Kids just want the attention. You better be there. And be available to them.”
Brady has noticeably been absent from voluntary offseason workouts this year. The reason for that, despite speculation, is because his family wants more quality time with the NFL veteran after spending 20 years giving his all to his craft.
The future Hall Of Famer will attempt to juggle spending more time with his family with staying at an elite level of play that New England fans have become so accustomed to over the years.
It should be interesting to see how Brady's level of play is affected, if at all, by missing these non mandatory events.
Should this be the first year that his play starts dropping off at his age, it could mark the beginning of the end for his career.
Regardless of what happens to Brady this season, there's no denying he's one of the greatest to ever do it and is a sure first ballot Hall Of Famer when his time comes.
What are your thought son Brady's comments regarding his NFL future? Let us know in the comments section below!