Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, to widespread praise from teammates, coaches, fans, and sports legends.

NBA star LeBron James, former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, former world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao, and England national soccer team captain Harry Kane were among those paying tribute.

The 44-year-old Brady played for 22 seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Manning posted a cheeky video saying: “Congratulations on an unbelievable career, and appreciate your generosity in at least sharing a few of those Super Bowls with me.”

James posted on Instagram: “Hell of a ride my friend !! Congrats on a heck of a career!! Thank you for the memories and inspiration throughout.”

Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, praised Brady for his longevity and sustainability of excellence in his career just like what he displayed all these years. “Tom made everyone around him better and always seemed to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments,” Goodell said.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who observed Brady for most of his career, said, “Words cannot describe the feelings I have for Tom Brady, nor adequately.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said,. ‘It has been an honor to be his head coach for the past two seasons. He set a standard and helped create a culture that took our team to the mountaintop.”

The NFL’s New York Jets suffered for years at the hands of Brady when he was a member of the division-rival Patriots. NFL’s NY Jets had some fun with the retirement news.

“This better be real,” the Jets wrote on Twitter. “But seriously, congrats on a first-ballot, Hall of Fame career, @TomBrady. We may not miss seeing you on the field, but the entire football world will.”