Tom Brady recently shared rare insights into how his high-profile divorce from Gisele Bündchen significantly impacted his final NFL season. During an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” the legendary quarterback, aged 48, reflected on the personal challenges he faced during his 2022 split from Bündchen after 13 years of marriage. This period coincided with the end of his remarkable 23-year career in professional football, a time he described as “tough” due to the intense personal turmoil.
Brady admitted that the personal family issues he was navigating during the 2022-2023 football season, while playing quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took a substantial toll on him. He stated that these difficulties directly affected his ability to perform at his peak on the field. Despite these challenges, he did not feel he was “missing anything” from his playing career, given its extensive duration.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer to how Tom Brady’s divorce affected his final NFL season is that it was a significant challenge, taking a considerable amount out of him and impacting his ability to play due to the personal family issues he was experiencing at the time.
After initially announcing his retirement in February 2022, Brady famously returned for a third and final season with the Buccaneers. He ultimately retired for good following another announcement in February 2023, fulfilling a long-held goal to retire around the age of 45.
Brady had expressed a desire to retire at 45 to spend more time with his children and attend their games, acknowledging that they had already attended enough of his own. He played 20 seasons with the New England Patriots before his three-year tenure with the Buccaneers.
Despite the strain in his personal life, Tom Brady emphasized his commitment to his team and coaches during his final season. He felt he owed them his full effort and dedication, aiming to give them everything he had.
He acknowledged that he wished the end of his career could have been “a little bit better,” but recognized it was a “unique situation and a unique year” for him personally and professionally.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen officially announced their divorce in October 2022, sharing their individual statements on Instagram. This marked the end of a significant chapter in their lives and for the NFL.
Following the divorce, speculation arose regarding Bündchen’s relationship with her jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente. While romance rumors surfaced in November 2022, they reportedly began dating in June 2023, according to People magazine.
Bündchen addressed the timing of her new relationship in a 2024 interview with The New York Times, denying cheating and stating that women often face blame when leaving unhealthy relationships.
She explained that such situations are amplified for public figures, forcing them to deal with community and family judgment. This highlighted the pressures faced by individuals in the public eye.
Bündchen and Valente reportedly tied the knot in December 2025, following the birth of their son whose name has not yet been revealed. This indicates a new phase of life for the model.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady was seen with influencer Alix Earle at a New Year’s Eve party, sparking dating rumors. However, Brady later suggested to People that he is not currently in a relationship.
He indicated that his personal life has limited time, but he remains passionate about his work and dedicated to his children. This suggests a focus on his family and career post-retirement and divorce.
