Tom Brady Talks ‘Tough’ Final NFL Season Amid Gisele Bundchen Divorce: ‘It Took A Lot Out of Me’

Tom Brady is opening up about how his divorce from Gisele Bündchen weighed heavily on him during his final season in the NFL.

The famed quarterback, 48, reflected on his decision to retire while speaking to MLFootball about Aaron Rodgers’ potential retirement from the league — a conversation that prompted Brady to revisit the challenges he faced in his own last year on the field.

“My last season was tough,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion said. “I had a lot of, you know, just a personal family issue.”

Brady and Bündchen were married for 13 years before finalizing their divorce in 2022. The split, he admitted, had a direct impact on his ability to continue playing at the highest level.

“It was a challenge and it just took a lot out of me, in terms of, you know, my ability to continue to play,” he added.

Brady went on to explain that his decision to retire was ultimately driven by family and timing. “I always had a goal,” he said. “I was 45 years old. I wanted to spend time with my kids. I was like, ‘OK, it’s time for me to be at all my kids’ games. They’ve been to enough of their dads’ games.”

After 23 seasons in the NFL, Brady said he felt at peace stepping away from the sport for good.

“I had 23 years of it so I didn’t feel like I was missing anything retiring,” he explained.

Brady initially announced his retirement in 2022, only to reverse course weeks later and return for one more season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his career after three seasons with the Buccaneers after spending 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.

Brady and Bündchen share two children: son Benjamin, 16, and Vivian, 13. Brady also shares a son, Jack, 18, with his ex Bridget Moynahan.

Bündchen has since welcomed her third child, a son, with her now-husband Joaquim Valente. The couple quietly tied the knot last year.