Tom Brady Comes Out of Retirement Again — This Time for Flag Football
Published Date: 16th Sep, 2025
September 16, 2025 — Tom Brady is once again stepping out of retirement, but not for an NFL comeback. The legendary quarterback will suit up for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, an exhibition event scheduled for March 21, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Event
The competition will showcase three teams in a round-robin tournament, culminating in a championship game. Following the rules of flag football being prepared for Olympic play, games will be played on a 50-yard field with five players per side. Each matchup will be split into two halves, making the pace fast and dynamic.
Brady won’t be alone. He’ll share the field with a lineup of NFL stars and icons including Rob Gronkowski, Odell Beckham Jr., Tyreek Hill, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett, and Maxx Crosby. Coaching duties will fall to well-known NFL figures: Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan.
Why It Matters
This event brings Brady back into competitive action for the first time since his 2023 retirement. While it’s not the NFL, his involvement elevates the sport of flag football, especially as it gains recognition on the global stage with its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
It also underscores Brady’s enduring influence. At 48, his participation highlights not just his love for the game, but also his ability to draw attention and credibility to emerging formats of football.
What to Watch
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How Brady adapts to flag football’s unique pace and style compared to his decades in the NFL.
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The reception of the event globally, and whether it fuels interest in flag football as a mainstream competitive sport.
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The potential ripple effect: more retired stars exploring alternative formats of play, further bridging professional football with global audiences.
Bottom Line
Tom Brady’s latest “unretirement” may not involve NFL defenses or Super Bowl runs, but it reinforces his status as a central figure in football culture. His return, this time on an international stage, blends sport, entertainment, and legacy—keeping him firmly in the public eye while helping to grow the profile of flag football worldwide.
Date: 16th Sep, 2025