New England Patriots boss Robert Kraft leads tributes after Tom Brady retirement

Tributes have poured in from the NFL and beyond after seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement.

After a false alarm on Saturday evening, Brady made his official announcement on Tuesday following an illustrious 22-year career.

The New England Patriots where Brady spent the first 20 years of his career and won six of his seven Super Bowls, were conspicuous by their absence in his retirement announcement and list of thank-yous but owner Robert Kraft paid a warm tribute to his former player.

It was quite the ride.

Thank you and congratulations, @TomBrady. pic.twitter.com/0gPwUROEkz

“Words cannot describe the feelings I have for Tom Brady, nor adequately express the gratitude my family, the New England Patriots and our fans have for Tom for all he did during his career,” Kraft wrote.

“A generation of football fans have grown up knowing only an NFL in which Tom Brady dominated. As a fan of football, it was a privilege to watch. As a Patriots fan, it was a dream come true. I have the greatest respect for Tom personally and always will.”

Bruce Arians, Brady’s coach for the last two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was also quick to congratulate him.

Memories to last a lifetime. Thank you, 1⃣2⃣.#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/m9ipziiFmn

“Tom joined us as the greatest football player of all time and he set a standard and helped create a culture that took our team to the mountaintop,” he said in a statement released by the team.

“It has been an honour to be his head coach for the past two seasons. I wish it didn’t have to end, but few players have the opportunity to leave the game on their own terms. Even fewer can do it while playing at an elite level. Tom is the exception.”

NFL commissioner Roger