Tom Brady Discussed His Family’s Difficult Decision About Retirement

Brady’s relationship with Bündchen began with quite a shock. The couple discovered that Brady’s previous love interest, Bridget Moynahan, was expecting his child. Bündchen remembered the turmoil in her memoir, writing, “I felt my world had been turned upside down.” She took it in her stride, though.

The supermodel started thinking about kids of her own, in fact. She wrote, “With Jack [Brady’s son with Moynahan] in our lives, our priorities definitely started to shift.” She added, “I wanted to be there for Jack and Tom and do whatever I could to create stability in their lives and help them to have a close relationship.”

Those kids of her own would follow soon enough. The pair tied the knot in early 2009, and they didn’t have to wait long for the union to be blessed with a child. Benjamin came along in December that year. Three years later, in the same month, the couple welcomed a daughter, Vivian.

Bündchen described to Vanity Fair magazine in 2009 the shared values that had led her to get together with Brady. She said, “He’s very close to his family. He’s Catholic. His parents have been married 40 years. He’s got a pure heart. That’s all that matters — he’s got the purest heart.”

But becoming married and having two kids — three if you include Bündchen’s stepson — means a great deal of change in your life. Add in a new place to live in a city you’re not familiar with, and it all proved to be quite a burden. Bündchen described herself as “overwhelmed” and “depressed.”

Of course, one of the big impacts for Bündchen was on her career. She’s a supermodel, and that means a hectic life that doesn’t really have room for a family. So she had to create a new work/life balance. That’s been easy enough for Brady, but for Bündchen, it meant a proper break in her work.

After a while, Bündchen was able to get being a mom and a model in balance, but it still has its effects. And she does sometimes need to knock back a job. She described in her 2018 memoir, “Either Tom has a big game, or Benny has a play at school, or maybe Jack will be with us for the weekend, or Vivi has a bad cough. For whatever reason, the scheduling doesn’t always work.”

Still, it didn’t do the supermodel too much harm, and it certainly doesn’t seem to have caused much damage to her pocketbook. She remained the best-rewarded model on the planet until 2017, when reality superstar Kendall Jenner came and knocked her off the top spot.

Even when Bündchen slipped to second spot, she wasn’t knocking at the doors of the poorhouse. She raked in a cool $17.5 million in 2017. Perhaps the slide in earnings came because she had retired from runway work in 2015 and focused on other aspects of the fashion world.

Brady, of course, makes a ton of money from football, too. His 2021 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in around $27.5 million in total. No wonder the super couple was thought to be worth $540 million in 2016, when they moved to Boston from L.A.

Despite the success and money, football is still a strain, and Brady recognizes that it’s tough on his wife. In his podcast in October 2021, he said, “It’s a very difficult issue to reconcile without just saying, ‘Hey, it’s time to retire. 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.”

The quarterback wasn’t slow to acknowledge Bündchen’s contribution. He added, “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…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 Brazilian supermodel felt the difficulty herself. As she explained in her memoir, “When I became a mom, I kind of lost myself. It was like a part of me died. Now I had this little being, and I suddenly felt l couldn’t do other things, and that was very hard for me.”

Bündchen explained to CBS News in 2015 how she coped, though. She said, “My father always says the quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships. And I think no matter how challenging it was, we were always being supportive of one another. And you know, that’s the most important thing you can have in your life.”

And Brady also found family life difficult to juggle with football, as he told Us Weekly magazine. He said that the balance was a “difficult [one] to reconcile.” He added, “I don’t want to miss any of the kids’ stuff… It’s a little teeter-totter from time to time, and I’m trying, like all of us, to do the best we can do based on the circumstances.”

But the superstar quarterback was clear that it was easier for him than for some. He said, “There are a lot of parents who get two or three weeks off a year and they work real jobs and real lives. I get a lot of time off actually. Football players, we get a good, healthy off-season. I try to do my best with the kids. I wish I was there more.”

Balancing work and family have weighed heavily on Brady while he's considered pulling the trigger on retirement. But given the hard grind of football, not many players even get to make that decision. Injury or the extremely high-performance standards spell the end for most players. On average, players make it to halfway through their 28th year, many years fewer than Brady has managed!

The star’s longevity wouldn’t be so out of place in other sports, such as baseball. There, pitchers quite often make it into their 40s. It’s not such a physically tough game: most hurlers aren’t called on to run a great deal, particularly in the American League, where they rarely bat.

Not so in the NFL, where Brady became the oldest non-kicker to have started a game. He broke that record in 2021 when he passed Steve DeBerg. DeBerg played for the Atlanta Falcons in 1998 when he was at the ripe old age of 44. At the same age, Brady surpassed him, but only just.

Age didn't exactly wither Brady’s talent either. In fact, Brady won the MVP nod for the 2021 Super Bowl. It’s rare for a quarterback to be so good in his 40s. Kickers sometimes make it into their fifth decade, but long-lasting Quarterbacks stand out, such as Vinny Testaverde, who played past his 44th birthday.

But of course, the subject of Brady's retirement has reared its head before. For instance, it was a running joke in a T-Mobile ad that played during the 2021 Super Bowl. In the commercial, set a year before Brady moved from Boston, Brady is Facetiming buddy Rob Gronkowski, and he asks, “Gronk, what do you think my next move should be? Give it to me straight. Maybe it’s just time I hang ’em up.”

Gronkowski, a spring chicken at 31, suggests that Brady should call it a day and take in 18 holes. He says, “If you retire now, you’re going to be walking on soft sand in a week. Just come to Florida and feel the wind in your hair. Retirement is like winning another one! Maybe I’ll even join you.”

But Brady, we’re informed, is on a patchy network, so he only hears bits of what “Gronk” has to say. “You retire now, you’re soft and weak,” is the message that the champion receives. “Just come to Florida and win another one. Maybe I’ll even join you.” A very different message!

Whether Brady and Gronk ever had a conversation that went that way, we’ll never know, but we do know the outcome. Before greeting the beckoning call of retirement, Brady signed up with Tampa Bay. And Gronk joined him, suiting up once more to take the field with the Buccaneers.

What a scene it made at Raymond James Stadium, the home field of the Buccaneers, in February 2021. Among the crowd watching Brady steer the Bucs to glory was Bündchen, who cheered on her husband as his team crushed the Kansas City Chiefs. Amazingly, it was his seventh triumph in the Super Bowl.

In the aftermath of that triumph, Bündchen asked whether Brady would now call it a day. He shared the story with James Corden on The Late Late Show in March 2021, saying, “All of a sudden, I saw my wife and I gave her a big hug. And just as I did it, she said, ‘What more do you have to prove?’ I was trying to figure out a way to change the subject really quick.”

The quarterback had shined a light on the conflict in his family over his retirement back in 2017, when talking to CBS. He said, “I think we go back and forth. She’ll always say to me, ‘Well, 10 years ago, you told me it was only gonna be 10 years. And now it’s 10 years, and now you’re saying another, you know, five years.’”

Not that we want to suggest that Bündchen wasn't supportive. The supermodel has always been 100 percent behind the quarterback. An insider told Us Weekly after he scored the Super Bowl triumph that the supermodel-mom was “over the moon proud of Tom and his accomplishments thus far.”

The subject of Brady’s retirement came up again when Brady chatted with Oprah Winfrey in November 2021. He said, “Thanksgiving, there’s a lot to be thankful for, but you only get four hours to enjoy it. Practice usually ends at about 1 or 2. You eat about 3:30, then you’re getting ready for the next day of practice. Same with Xmas.”

It seemed that the holidays were something that Brady felt he missed out on as a footballer. He told Oprah, “I’m looking forward to the time when I’m done playing football, so I can have those more normal holidays that I had growing up that were important where the family’s all together.”

It’s not the first time Brady talked about continuing to play past 45. He was asked in November 2019 if he’d get into the later 40s, and he said then, “We’ll see how long it goes. 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.”

Then again, when the same question came up at a press conference before the February 2021 Super Bowl, Brady again left the door ajar. He said, “Yeah, definitely. It’s a physical sport and the perspective I have on that is — you never know.” But he promised full effort, saying he wouldn’t go into a game without pushing himself to the max. 

In September 2021 Brady discussed his retirement with the Wall Street Journal’s magazine, saying, “Beyond [next year’s season], I don’t know. 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.”

If playing past 45 wasn’t sufficiently ambitious, Brady went even further when asked by Gronk on the latter’s YouTube show if he could keep going past 50. He said in September 2021, “I don’t find it so difficult. I think I can. I think it’s a yes.” He did explain later, though, that he’d meant that he could physically, not that he wanted to. But privately, Brady was coming closer to making his decision.

The idea of Brady playing past age 50 was definitely floated before. Back in May 2021 Jason Licht, general manager of the Bucs, said on The Rich Eisen Show on radio, “I told him if he wants to play until he’s 50, and he’s still playing and he feels like he can still play, he can play until he’s 50.”

The world finally got its answer in February 2022 when Brady made the call. The quarterback shared on his Instagram that he was done — he decided to retire. His 44th year in the game would mark his last. After a legendary career on the field, it was time to fulfill the promise he'd made to his wife. But Brady's announcement didn't stop people from trying to change his mind.

UFC president Dana White admitted to trying to sway Brady one last time to sign with the Raiders, but ultimately his attempts were in vain. Brady was firm in his decision to spend more time with family and explore opportunities beyond the field. Well, as a player anyway.

In any case, Brady didn't beat George Blanda's record. The man who holds the title of oldest quarterback was nearly 49 when he quit. But to be fair, he’d nearly exclusively been a kicker for his 40s. He threw a few passes in his last game, but he wasn’t a Super Bowl MVP winner!

But could Brady ever make a comeback? Well, in the days following his retirement announcement, Brady teased fans with a bit of a cryptic message. While he plans to make good on his family promises, the titan quarterback shared on his podcast  "Let's Go!" that he would "never say never" about returning to the field one last time. Though, Gisele might be of a different opinion.

But whenTom and Gisele aren’t working, they’re hanging out in their impressive Massachusetts mansion. It’s a home that perfectly reflects the couple’s megastardom and mega-wealth. How do we know this? Well, in 2020 the celebrity super-couple opened the doors to their home – and offered all of us a rare glimpse.

Location was all-important to Brady and Bündchen, who first looked at the site of their dream home in 2013. And the couple decided that the 5-acre plot – that’s more than three and a half football fields, by the way! – was perfect for their needs. So, they splashed out about $4.5 million to get their hands on the land. That’s an awful lot of money for most of us but a mere drop in the ocean for this super-rich couple. Brady and Bündchen then recruited the building designer Richard Landry to work on their enormous project – and the incredible results speak for themselves.

In terms of size, the mansion comes in at roughly 12,000 square feet. Wow! You’d never complain about a lack of space, right? But while the place is massive by anyone’s standards, it’s not really in a secluded area. In fact, it’s pretty close to a globally famous Brookline establishment.

Brady and Bündchen’s extravagant home nestles alongside the ninth hole of the golf course at Brookline Country Club. If that name’s ringing bells, it’s because the club hosted the 1999 Ryder Cup. It’ll also stage its fourth U.S. Open in 2022. Talk about a high-profile spot! But while the giant mansion’s only a tee shot away, it’s still isolated enough for the owners to get some peace and quiet.

Even rich quarterbacks need to offload a house or two, though, and that’s why Sotheby’s Realty attempted to drum up interest in the mansion in March 2020. Armed with a video camera, folks from the real estate firm were given full access to Brady and Bündchen’s place. That way, they could capture its gorgeous interior and exterior. But such beauty comes at a huge financial cost.

How much was the house listed for, then? Well, the initial asking price in 2019 was more than $39 million. Not long after, the figure then came down to just under $34 million. Yup, it was very, very expensive! Mind you, once you take a look inside, you’ll start to understand why.

So without further ado, let’s begin our in-depth video tour of Bündchen and Brady’s dream home in Brookline. Are you ready? Okay. To kick things off, we’ll start upstairs – specifically with the bedrooms, of which there are five. If you’ve ever wondered how one of America’s greatest football players sleeps, you’re in luck!

When you first enter the master bedroom, you’re greeted by a small section that could double as a mini-office. In fact, Brady and Bündchen had outfitted the area with that idea in mind, placing a small desk and computer next to the window. Let’s be honest – it’s nicer than most actual workspaces!

To the left of the desk, though, you’ll find another entrance to the bedroom itself. And, boy, is it something. The completely wood-clad ceiling alone is absolutely jaw-dropping, rising from the outer walls to a central beam running through the middle at its highest point. The overhead light hangs from this, while different lighting panels are scattered about the edge.

It’s difficult to look away! But when you do, the bedroom’s other qualities hit you like a train. While it’s a pretty large space, Bündchen and Brady discovered a way to make it feel quite snug. The double bed rests against the back wall, surrounded by a pair of dressers and two open cabinets built into the surface.

At the end of the bed, two small chairs can be found next to an ottoman that doubles as an impromptu table. That’s all in front of a fireplace – yet another incredible feature! You’ll spot a large TV embedded into the wall as well. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s one more dresser at the side with a mirror above it.

As for windows? The master bedroom has two of them on opposite sides of the bed. Actually, the biggest one doubles as a door to a balcony that overlooks several trees and a sprawling garden. Talk about putting the cherry on top!

We’ve got to hand it to Brady and Bündchen. It must’ve taken a lot of willpower to not spend every waking moment in this room. Anyway, you’re probably wondering how the other bedrooms stack up against this one. Are they a little less ritzy, or are they just as nice as the master space?

Well, let’s start with one of the kids’ rooms. Bündchen and Brady have two children, in case you didn’t know! As you enter this space, you’ll see the bed in the far corner and a lamp and table to the side of it. There’s also a very pretty purple chair – which looks quite comfortable to us.

But it gets better. When you properly walk in, you’ll notice that there’s a private bathroom at the end. A built-in closet’s on the left, too. And the attached shower room is surprisingly spacious. That alone would be pretty cool, but there’s one other feature that really takes things up another notch.

At the right of the entrance to the bathroom, there’s a white ladder... Where does it lead? To a small mezzanine area. That’s so awesome! It could be a private play space for the children – with the rails at the edge keeping them safe. You could say that the whole thing’s the indoor equivalent of a treehouse.

The second kids’ room is fairly similar, although it’s not quite as open. Two single beds are on opposite sides, with a bathroom and a closet at the end. There’s another balcony up top as well. Little ones could have a field day in these spaces. They’d never get bored!

There’s a third room with a near-identical setup, too. The final bedroom, on the other hand? It looks more like Brady and Bündchen’s space. It’s open and wide with a pair of seats at the end of a double bed. Unlike the master, though, there’s no fireplace here. Well, we suppose that’s not a dealbreaker...

But before we move downstairs, we’ve got to talk about one more area on the second floor. There’s also a laundry room up here – and it’s big! It’s full of cabinets lining the walls as well as a sink thrown in for good measure. And the most impressive feature is concealed right next to the doorway.

In an opening along the far wall, you’ll see no fewer than four washing machines and tumble dryers stacked together in the shape of a cube. Wow! Brady’s jerseys would never stay dirty with that set-up – although we seriously doubt he has to bring his sports gear home for cleaning anyway. The laundry room’s checkered flooring adds some style to the space, too.

On that note, let’s say goodbye to the second floor and head downstairs to the cozy snug. Perhaps the best features here are the windows. There’s an entire row of them, offering a view of the garden. And the space is laid out perfectly, with a small table in the middle separating two chairs and a sofa. You’ll also notice a couple of black cabinets and yet another fireplace.

It’s no surprise to find that the main living area is suitably palatial. Natural light’s never going to be an issue here, either. Two more couches dominate this room, along with another fireplace and a big television. It makes the perfect spot for family viewing.

What about the kitchen, though? How does that measure up? Well, if you love to cook, you’re sure to be jealous of what Brady and Bündchen had installed. Simply put, this room is huge. It’s aesthetically pleasing, too, with the wooden beams on the ceiling adding a nice contrast to the white walls and cabinets.

The kitchen’s centerpiece is a marble-top island unit, which houses cupboards, drawers and a sink. To the side, you’ll also spot a large black stove and oven, topped off by an even bigger extractor fan overhead. It’s a truly impressive piece of interior design, but there’s more you need to know.

For instance, the cabinets are fairly unusual when compared to normal kitchen cupboards. Basically, they don’t have any doors! Brady and his fam can just grab what they need from the open shelves without any hassle. And in a nifty space behind the marble island, there’s an eating area facing even more windows.

But that’s not the dining room – you’ll find that between the kitchen and the living room. It has a lovely round table that would even get King Arthur’s heart fluttering! Anyway, if you think that’s all the ground floor has to offer, we’ve got a surprise for you. Yes, there’s another impressive chamber waiting to be seen.

Hidden behind a pair of double doors is a jaw-dropping home office, complete with a desk, a couch, cabinets and a fireplace. You can never have too many of those. Football helmets sit on the upper shelves, while books and picture frames fill out the rest. It looks pretty cozy, right? A nice place to chill.

With that, let’s head down to the final area of the house: the basement. Then again, to call this a “basement” feels a little misleading. Much like the ground floor, it would make for an equally stunning living space. The home cinema alone is eye-popping. You’d never want to go to a theater again.

Actually, there’s a bit of a tale to be told here. You see, this room was the scene of a domestic drama recently. In December 2020 a man snuck into Brady and Bündchen’s property, triggering the alarm system. Then, when the authorities got there, they discovered the intruder on the giant sofa in the basement. Thankfully, the family wasn’t there at the time.

But the home cinema isn’t the only thing down here. There’s also a sprawling space nearby that looks like a play area. The drawings on the carpet are a hint! A nifty little wine cellar is tucked away in the basement, too, and we bet the couple had some fine vintages stored there.

Not only that, but you’ll find a cool-looking spa and a huge gym in that space as well. The perfect environment for a top athlete and a fashion model, wouldn’t you agree? And we can’t forget about the sauna. So, yes, the basement is absolutely loaded with stuff that most of us couldn’t fit into our entire house!

And, finally, our tour of Brady and Bündchen’s home comes to an end. But our look at the estate isn’t over yet. Yes, there’s one other building in the garden that still requires our attention, and it’s arguably just as stunning as the mansion itself. We’re referring to the guest house.

Now, this was very much Bündchen’s domain, as she explained in a video on Vogue’s YouTube channel. Brady’s wife said, “This is my sanctuary where I spend most of my time.” And we can’t blame her. The interior of this building is incredible. For starters, there’s a suitably glam living space at its center.

The guest house also has a second floor that can be accessed by a wooden ladder. You’ll find a bed up there, as well as a balcony overlooking the room below. Outside, the surrounding garden is a beautiful sight, with trees peppering the vast lawn across the property.

How vast is that lawn? Well, it’s a yard-and-a-half, to put it mildly. So, that finally brings us to the actual end of the tour. And while you probably understand the massive price tag now, the all-important question is whether someone would actually pay it. We can’t forget that Fireman had to bide his time before a buyer came forward for his house in Brookline.

Well, Brady and Bündchen got their answer the day before Christmas 2020. That’s right: an anonymous party snapped up the luxurious home at a price rumored to be just over $32 million. Practically a steal! And given what we’ve seen of the place, we have to say that’s money well spent.