Tom Brady spent more than two decades creating an unprecedented legacy in the NFL with the Patriots. However, his final years in the field were filled with personal problems, which fueled his underperformance on the field. In a recent interview, Brady acknowledged that his divorce from Gisele Bündchen deeply affected his final season in the league. While appearing on The Herd, Brady was asked about Aaron Rodgers and the difficulty of knowing when to retire. Brady explained that his last season came during a period of emotional strain, and it affected his abilities as a player and took a toll on him mentally. He also reflected on how he had no regrets when he decided that it was time to tap out in 2023 after 23 seasons.
Brady explains how family challenges clarified his decision to walk away
During his appearance on the podcast, he admitted to the challenges at the time, saying, “My last season was tough. I was going through a lot of just a personal family issue, and it was a challenge, and it was a very… It just took a lot out of me in terms of my ability to continue to play.”Brady rarely spoke publicly about the personal side of his career while he was active. This time, however, he made it clear that the emotional weight off the field mattered as much as the physical demands on it. Further on, when discussing retirement, Brady emphasized that he felt no sense of regret and wanted to settle down as a family man.He stated, “I had 23 years of [football], so I didn’t think I was missing anything, retiring. I felt like I always had a goal — 45. I was 45 years old, I wanted to spend time with my kids.” That perspective helped him accept walking away after the 2022 season and fully stepping aside in 2023 following his time with the Buccaneers.Brady added that being present for his kids mattered more than chasing another comeback. He said, “I felt like, okay, now it’s time for me to be at all my kids’ games. They’ve been to enough of their dad’s games.” That shift in priorities explains why his final retirement felt permanent.Since the divorce, both Brady and Bündchen have moved forward with their lives. She remarried in 2025 and welcomed another child with Joaquim Valente, while Brady remains focused on his role at Fox Sports and raising his three children. Though he has been seen publicly with Alix Earle, he has stayed quiet about his personal life.Also read: Tom Brady breaks silence and makes his priorities clear amid rumors of a potential romance with Alix Earle
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