This Thanksgiving, Tom Brady will be focusing on his broadcasting duties, while his children spend the holiday with his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen, and her partner, Joaquim Valente. The 47-year-old former NFL quarterback went viral over the weekend for his pretend shock reaction to the news that he would be working on Thanksgiving in his new analyst role for Fox.
Brady is in the first year of his massive 10-year deal with Fox, worth a reported $375 million, and he will be in Dallas this Thursday to call the Cowboys’ game against the New York Giants. The legendary quarterback has been adjusting to life off the field in his new role in the broadcast booth, and Thanksgiving will be another workday for him, bringing his voice to one of the most-watched games of the season.
Meanwhile, his children, Benjamin and Vivian, will be spending the holiday away from their father. According to Page Six, the kids will be celebrating with their mother, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen, in Costa Rica. Bündchen, 44, who is currently expecting a child with her partner Joaquim Valente, has chosen to spend the holidays in the tropical location with her family.
A source shared details of the family’s arrangement, explaining, “Gisele took the kids and headed to Costa Rica with Joaquim [Valente] to spend the holiday with each other. Tom is supportive, and that’s the arrangement he and Gisele have agreed upon. He’s going to be calling the game for Fox that day and will be tied up with work.”
The source added that despite Brady’s commitment to work on Thanksgiving, he will still have ample time to spend with his children during the holiday season.
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In late October, it was reported that Bündchen is expecting a child with Valente, 37, a development that reportedly left Brady stunned.
While the former NFL star has not publicly commented on the news, he did post a cryptic message on Instagram around the time the information surfaced. The post featured a sunset photo accompanied by the lyrics, “Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?” from the Fleetwood Mac classic “Landslide.” Brady also added an audio clip to the story, with the lyrics continuing, “Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?”
While Brady has been navigating changes in his personal life, his professional transition to broadcasting has also had its ups and downs.
His highly anticipated debut in the broadcast booth for Fox did not go without its share of criticism. During Week One of the NFL season, Brady faced backlash from fans for what they perceived as a lackluster tone and broadcasting style, which contrasted with his vibrant personality on the field.
Adding to the challenges, Brady stirred controversy when he used the term “spaz” to describe Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s early career performance. The comment drew criticism, as it was seen by some as insensitive, though Brady later sought to clarify his remarks.
Brady also faced scrutiny regarding his unique position as both a broadcaster and a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
When his ownership stake in the Raiders was finally approved earlier this year, the NFL set specific guidelines to ensure Brady’s impartiality as an analyst, including restrictions on criticizing referees. Despite this, Brady found himself in hot water after commenting on an officiating decision during a broadcast.
During the Nov. 3 game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, Brady openly disagreed with the decision to eject Lions player Brian Branch. “I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said during the live broadcast. “Obviously it’s a penalty, but to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this.”
The comments were seen as a breach of the restrictions placed upon him as a Raiders stakeholder, but ultimately, the NFL decided not to penalize Brady for the remarks.
Despite these challenges, Brady continues to settle into his new role at Fox, learning the ropes of broadcasting while balancing his responsibilities as a minority owner.
His Thanksgiving plans reflect his commitment to his new career, even as his family dynamic evolves. As he calls the Cowboys-Giants game in Dallas, he’ll bring his knowledge and expertise to the broadcast while his children celebrate the holiday with their mother and soon-to-be stepfather.
Brady’s ability to juggle work and family obligations while navigating his transition from football legend to commentator is emblematic of his resilience.
While he might not be spending Thanksgiving surrounded by his loved ones, he is still creating a new legacy—this time, behind the microphone.
