Not an easy decision. Tom Brady said a lot about his retirement over the years leading up to his official exit from the NFL in February 2022.
The football star, who played for the New England Patriots for 20 years before becoming a Tampa Bay Buccaneer for two seasons in May 2020, made it clear over the years that he wasn’t ready to stop playing football despite his age, even joking about his retirement in commercials.
However, the oldest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl hinted on more than one occasion about when — if ever — he would hang up his cleats.
“We’ll see how long it goes,” Brady said in November 2019 when asked if he could stay on the field into his late 40s. “Easier said than done. I know the kind of effort I am putting in right now, but what a great privilege to play a sport that I love.”
While fans were happy to hear the athlete’s plans to stick around the NFL a little longer, his wife, Gisele Bündchen, wanted a little more clarification on the topic — and Brady understood why.
“I think my wife has, you know, held down the house for a long time now, and I think there’s things that she wants to accomplish,” he said during a September 2021 episode of his “Let’s Go” podcast. “You know, she hasn’t worked as much in the last 10, 12 years just raising our family and kind of committing to being in a life in Boston and then moving to Florida.”
The California native and Bündchen tied the knot in 2009 and welcomed son Benjamin the same year. In 2012, they welcomed daughter Vivian. Brady, who also shares son Jack with ex Bridget Moynahan, has called meeting the Brazilian model the best thing that ever happened to him.
“I think the one phone call that changed my life was my friend Ed, who called me one day and he said, ‘I have this girl and I think you should call her,’” he told WSJ. Magazine in September 2021. “I ended up calling her and it ended up being the love of my life. … She didn’t pick up, actually. I had to leave a voicemail.”
While Brady continually played coy on when he’d say goodbye to his signature sport, the TB12 Method author always said that spending more time with his family would be his reason for leaving.
However, the idea of walking away proved to be hard for the seven-time Super Bowl champion, who took home six trophies with the Patriots and one with the Bucs during his career.
“It’s been a huge part of my life for a long time, and I love thinking about it,” the University of Michigan alum said during a February 2021 press conference. “I think football to me is much more than just a sport because there’s the physical element, there’s a mental approach, you know, how you’re going to get the job done, and there’s the emotional part.”
Throughout his football journey, Bündchen was always right beside him, with a source exclusively telling Us Weekly in February 2021 that the model is “over the moon proud of Tom and his accomplishments thus far.”
Keep scrolling to see what the couple has said about Brady’s retirement goals over the years — including their statements on his official step back from the league in February 2022:
“I think I’ll know when it’s time,” Brady told reporters during a pre-Super Bowl press conference in February 2021 when asked about how much longer he’ll keep playing. “I can never go into this game half-ass.”When asked whether he would play past the age of 45, the former University of Michigan quarterback replied, “Yeah, definitely. It’s a physical sport and the perspective I have on that is — you never know.” Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock
After Brady’s Florida team won the 2021 Super Bowl, Bündchen questioned whether he would finally be hang up his jersey. “All of a sudden, I saw my wife and I gave her a big hug,” he said during a March 2021 episode of The Late Late Show With James Corden. “And just as I did it, she said, ‘What more do you have to prove?’”His answer was simply to bring her in for a tight embrace. “I was trying to figure out a way to change the subject really quick,” he joked. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
“Beyond [next year’s season], I don’t know,” he told the Wall Street Journal Magazine in September 2021. “Maybe it’s another year after that; maybe it’s two. I’ll have to see where I’m at with my family. That’s probably the overriding factor — what I’m missing out on.” Michael Dwyer/AP/Shutterstock
Brady admitted that to accommodate his athletic aspirations, Bündchen put her career on hold and focused on their children. “But that’s an issue, and it’s a very difficult issue to reconcile without just saying, ‘Hey, it’s time to retire,’” the NFL champion revealed on an October 2021 episode of his “Let’s Go” podcast. “And I think there’s, you know, we’re coming to the end here too, so I don’t want to miss any of the kids’ stuff.” Rob Latour/Shutterstock
When teammate Rob Gronkowski asked the then 44-year-old Brady in September 2021 if he could play until he was 50 years old, the NFL MVP seemed unfazed by the idea. “I don’t find it so difficult,” he explained during an episode of the “Tommy and Gronky” YouTube series. “I think I can. I think it’s a yes.”The Ted 2 actor would later clarify his comments on an episode of his podcast that same month, explaining that the question wasn’t whether he wanted to keep playing, but whether he physically could. “So, I think from my body standpoint and how I’ve been able to take care of myself over the years, [it] can put me in a position to do that, and you never know what can happen as I keep moving forward,” he said. “I know I’m having a lot of fun playing. And again, at my age, I’ve agreed to play next year, as well, but beyond that, I'll just take it year by year.” Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock
"I think when the time is right I’ll be ready to make a decision one way or another," Brady said on the SiriusXM podcast “Let’s Go! with Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray” in January 2022, after widespread reports that he decided to retire. "Literally, it’s day to day with me. I’m just trying to do the best I can every day and evaluate things as they come and trying to make a great decision for me and my family.” Larry W Smith/EPA/Shutterstock
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition — if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed, and success is what I love so much about our game. There is physical, mental and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life. This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes, I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady began a lengthy statement in February 2022, confirming he would no longer play football professionally. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.” He continued: “I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.” The quarterback, who played for 22 seasons in the NFL, thanked his Tampa Bay teammates, writing, “I love you guys, and I have loved going to battle with you. … I couldn’t be happier with what we accomplished together.” He also gave his wife and kids a shout-out, saying, “Our family is my greatest achievement. I always came off the field and home to the most loving and supportive wife who has done EVERYTHING for our family to allow me to focus on my career. Her selflessness allowed me to reach new heights professionally, and I am beyond words what you mean to me and our family.” Brady later shared a message of love to his former team, the New England Patriots, after initially leaving them out of his retirement statement. “Thank you Patriots Nation,” he tweeted. “[I’m] beyond grateful and love you all.” ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“What a ride @tombrady! So many memories! When I met you over 15 years ago, I didn’t know the first thing about football. But cheering for you and seeing you do what you love most made me learn about this wonderful game to the point that I seriously believed I knew more than the referees!” the mother of two wrote via an Instagram statement in February 2022 celebrating Brady’s retirement. “I’m so proud of you, and of everything you have had to overcome physically and emotionally over the years. I am in awe of your dedication, and of everything you have achieved. You love what you do, and you leave behind a legacy that is a beautiful example for future generations.” The Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life author gushed over her husband for being the “most dedicated, focused and mentally tough person I have ever met. You never once complained over the years about all the bruises and aches and pains. You just kept focusing on your goal to go out there and be the best leader there was to all your teammates.” She continued: “I know how excited you are about the next chapter of your life. Watching you work so hard in your football career and seeing the dedication you are now putting into all your new endeavors is incredibly inspiring. There is nothing you can’t achieve. I have always been here for you, you know that, and I’m as excited as you are for what the future holds!” Bündchen concluded by thanking all of Brady’s fans, writing, “Words can’t really express how grateful I am to everyone who has been so supportive of my husband and our family for so many years. With all my love, Gisele.” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
“Could this be my last year? Absolutely. Could I change my mind? Absolutely. I’ve realized I don’t have five years left,” the athlete told Variety in July 2022. “I want to do it my way. I want to give it everything I got and see where I’m at. My body feels really good. I’ve had a lot of traumatic injuries over the years, but if things go really smoothly and we win, that’d be great.” The father of three noted that he would “obviously” want to win his eighth Super Bowl before hanging up his cleats, explaining that it would be “the greatest way to end.” He added: “I just have a competitive fire that got the best of me.” Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock
The former Victoria's Secret Angel discussed her husband's whirlwind retirement and NFL return shortly after a source exclusively told Us there was "tension" in the couple's marriage. "Obviously, I have my concerns — this is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present," she said in Elle's October 2022 cover story. "I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again. But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy, too." Matt Baron/Shutterstock
0 Comments