“She would have me retire today": Tom Brady's ex-wife Gisele Bundchen once urged him to quit NFL 'three times'

NFL GOAT Tom Brady experienced a roller-coaster ride throughout his illustrious 23-season career. However, his journey could have been cut short by almost five years — not due to injury, but because of a request from his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen. Brady’s unwavering love for football pushed him to defy the age factor, but the former Victoria’s Secret supermodel was equally firm in her stance.

In 2017, Brady had just secured another Super Bowl victory — Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium in Houston. After the game, Brady said that Bündchen wanted him to retire that very night. As reported by The Sun in February 2017, Brady said:

“If it was up to my wife, she would have me retire today. She told me that (Sunday) night three times.”

Tom Brady refuses Gisele Bündchen's advice on retirement

Although Tom Brady appeared in 10 Super Bowls, winning seven, the one in 2017 was likely the most memorable. That night, he etched his name in the record books as the quarterback with the most Super Bowl victories. His mother, who had recently recovered from cancer, was watching from the stands — her first appearance in some time.

Brady felt compelled to deliver, and he did, orchestrating a remarkable comeback from a 28-3 deficit in the third quarter to win 34-28 in overtime. A jubilant Brady received a kiss from Gisele Bündchen after the emphatic win, along with the Super Bowl MVP award — and a retirement request from his wife.

Brady, however, calmly turned her down, saying:

“And I said, ‘Too bad, babe, I’m having too much fun right now.’”

Although Brady’s response was said in jest, there was a degree of seriousness behind it. He had stated his intention to play until age 45, a declaration revealed during the 2016 Deflategate incident when an email about Peyton Manning was exposed. Brady was determined to see it through.

Tom Brady's revelation contradicts Giselle Bündchen's statements

The revelation by Tom Brady, however, seems to contradict Gisele Bündchen’s later statements when they divorced in 2022. According to her, she understood Brady’s love for football and supported his pursuit of it if it made him happy. For her, the marriage ended simply because they grew apart.

Brady, on the other hand, knew he had more left to give, even after winning five Super Bowl rings by the age of 39. He went on to win two more in just four years before finally retiring at 45, as he had planned years earlier, despite the heartbreak of his divorce from Bündchen.