Retirement hasn’t slowed down Tom Brady one bit. The legendary quarterback recently opened up about his post-football life during a conversation with Stephen A. Smith at the first-ever Fanatics Fest in New York City.
Despite stepping away from the NFL, Brady admitted that he’s “busier than ever” as he navigates the demands of parenthood while diving into new career ventures.
“I’ve got a lot of things keeping me busy, but I’m still trying to be a great dad and be there for my kids,” Brady shared.
Brady, who shares 14-year-old son Benjamin and 11-year-old daughter Vivian with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, also has a 16-year-old son, Jack, from a previous relationship. Since his split from Bündchen in October 2022, Brady has taken on the challenge of co-parenting, a task he acknowledges is far from easy.
“Being a parent is never simple, and all the parents out there know that it’s a challenge to be a good one,” Brady told the live audience. “And kids, I hope you appreciate your parents because there’s a lot of work that goes into making your life a little easier.”
When asked if his kids “run [his] life,” the former New England Patriots star didn’t hesitate to respond with an emphatic, “Absolutely, yes!” He then lightheartedly joked, “Every time they call me, I know there’s a request because when they don’t call, I don’t hear from them. And when I don’t hear from them, I know they don’t want anything.”
On a more serious note, Brady reflected on how his children are beginning to understand the sacrifices he made during his career. “As they get older and start to take on responsibilities, they start to appreciate why I made certain sacrifices,” he explained. “When you’re working hard to be a dad and also providing for the family, that often means being away and being really focused on your job.”
Since retiring from the NFL in 2023, Brady has focused on spending more time with his family and launching his wellness brand, TB12. However, his time away from the gridiron will soon come to an end, as he’s set to return in a different role. In May, Brady signed a lucrative 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports to become their lead NFL analyst, marking a new chapter in his storied career.
Even with his upcoming broadcasting duties, Brady has made the most of his time off. He recently fulfilled a Make-A-Wish request in New York City, walked out with country star Morgan Wallen at a Las Vegas concert, and traveled to Paris to catch the 2024 Summer Olympics with his daughter Vivian, documenting their adventures in his new vlog series, “Last Week With Tom Brady.”
Before their Olympic trip, Brady and Vivian spent time in Italy celebrating his 47th birthday. While it’s unclear if his sons joined the European vacation, the family did enjoy a getaway to Montana a few weeks prior.
Despite the fun and family time, not everything has been smooth sailing. Brady and Bündchen, who have kept the details of their co-parenting arrangement private, hit a rough patch in May when Brady agreed to participate in a Netflix roast. The special, which included jokes about their marriage and Bündchen’s new relationship with Joaquim Valente, reportedly left the supermodel “deeply disappointed.” She felt the roast was “disrespectful” and that it once again placed football ahead of family.
As Brady continues to navigate this new chapter of his life, balancing his career ambitions with his dedication to being a father remains his top priority, even as the challenges keep coming.
