Tom Brady Finally Opens Up About The Way His Divorce From Gisele Bundchen Affected Him During Final NFL Season [VIDEO]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Tom Brady has opened up about one of the toughest periods of his NFL career. The seven-time Super Bowl winner said his final season was deeply affected by his divorce from Gisele Bundchen. He shared those thoughts during an appearance on Fox Sports’ The Herd.
Now 48, Brady was asked about Aaron Rodgers and retirement, but the conversation quickly became personal. He explained that family issues weighed heavily on him during the 2022 season, which turned out to be his last year in the league.
Brady said football no longer felt simple at that point in his life. Problems off the field demanded his attention and made it harder to stay fully locked in. He admitted the season asked more of him than he was able to give at the time.
Brady’s Final Season Filled With Personal Strain
“My last season was tough,” Brady said on The Herd. “I was going through a lot of just a personal family issue, and it was a challenge. It just took a lot out of me in terms of my ability to continue to play.”
Brady tied that struggle to his decision to walk away. He said he felt peace with retirement after 23 seasons. He also pointed to his age and his children. “I always had a goal, 45,” he said. “I wanted to spend time with my kids, I felt like, okay, now it’s time for me to be at all my kids’ games.”
BRUTAL: Tom Brady spoke about how his divorce from Gisele Bündchen was rough on the final year of his career.
“I had a lot of personal family issue, and it was a challenge. it just took a lot out of me in terms of my ability to continue to play.”
(🎥Herd)pic.twitter.com/BbsdxmTydQ
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 16, 2026
Brady first retired after the 2021 season but later changed his mind and returned in 2022. At the time, reports said the decision caused tension at home. Gisele Bundchen wanted him to step away from football. She filed for divorce during that season, ending their 13-year marriage.
Bundchen has since moved on with her life. According to the Daily Mail, she married Joaquim Valente on December 3. Sources said Brady knew about the wedding and took the news calmly. One source added that he is happy knowing Bündchen is happy.
Moreover, the couple also welcomed a baby boy.
Brady also offered advice to Rodgers. He urged full commitment before any return. “In order to be a great NFL player, you’ve got to commit and be fully in,” Brady said. “That’s the only way your team is going to have a chance to win.”
Brady said goodbye to the game without regret. Family now sits at the center of his life.
