Buccaneers Mum On Reports Of Brady's Retirement During Gasparilla

TAMPA, FL — Despite a symphony of "one more year" from Buccaneers fans, ESPN officially announced that quarterback Tom Brady is retiring at the age of 44.

The announcement came just as the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates wound its way down Bayshore Boulevard with the Bucs leading as grand marshal.

Nevertheless, there was no confirmation announcement on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers website or social media pages, leaving fans scratching their heads.

"Tom Brady retired. How come we don’t see anything about this on the official Tampa Bay Buccaneers page?" asked Greg Parker.

See related story: Bucs' Tom Brady To Retire After Missing Super Bowl Berth: ESPN

And Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee posted the following statement:

Tampa Bay Times reporter and host of the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast Rick Stroud verified there's been no official word on Brady's retirement.

"This has been handled clumsily at best. But Tom Brady is the only one who will speak for Tom Brady. Now his agent has said as much. Brady has told Bucs GM Jason Licht within the hour he’s undecided. So we wait for HIS official decision," tweeted Stroud.

Chicago sports anchor Kylen Mills reported that "Tom Brady Sr. tells @kron4news that his son is not retiring. Brady Sr. says an online publication started circulating an unsubstantiated rumor."

At the same time, the National Football League posted a Tom Brady retrospective on its Twitter page with the message, "These are the kind of moments that made @TomBrady so special. #thankyoutom," implying that the news of his retirement is accurate.

Greg Auman, who covers the Bucs for @TheAthleticNFL and is co-author of "Champa Bay," said he's equally confused.

"It's been an hour since ESPN reported Tom Brady's retirement. NFL accounts, Brady brand accounts have acknowledged it, but the team has said nothing, and just checking moments ago, Bruce Arians hasn't been told he's retiring. Doesn't add up right now," Auman said.

Bucs fans were uncharacteristically quiet on social media about the ESPN announcement, with a few exceptions.

"Thank you, Tom Brady, for two awesome years and for bringing a title to us. It sucks losing you, but you have earned this retirement," David Turnier said. "Wish you nothing but the best in your future."

"Super hard for me, although I’ve been a super fan since the Day 1," said Rhonda O'Bryan Houchens. "Growing up in Tampa, my dad and I had season tickets the day we got the ball club so I’m used to rooting on a losing team that happens to win sometimes. But it definitely felt good to be able to win."

Rivals, however, were quick to revel in the news.

"Back to the Dark Ages for Tampa," Justin Holmes said.

"What are you fans going to do now that you have absolutely no team? Burn your jerseys?" asked Ray La Placa.

Patch will provide updates as soon as they're available.