Tom Brady still ‘trying to be a great dad’ after Gisele Bündchen split: ‘It’s a challenge to be a good parent’

Life hasn’t slowed down for Tom Brady in retirement.

The legendary quarterback, 47, told Stephen A. Smith he is “busier than ever” while juggling parenthood and his new career endeavors at Friday’s first-ever Fanatics Fest in New York City.

“I got a lot of things that keep me busy but still trying to be a great dad and be there for my kids ,” Brady said.

Brady shares son Benjamin, 14, and daughter Vivian, 11, with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen , who divorced in October 2022 . He is also dad to 16-year-old son Jack from a previous relationship .

Although Brady rarely gives insight into his and the supermodel’s co-parenting dynamic, he noted that raising kids is never easy — regardless of the situation.

Tom Brady and David Ortiz fulfill two young fans’ Make-A-Wish dreams at Fanatics Fest NYC

“And all the parents out there know that it’s a challenge to be a good parent,” he told the live audience. “And all the kids I hope you appreciate your parents too! Because there’s a lot of work they put into making your life a little easier.”

When asked if his kids “run [his] life,” the New England Patriots legend emphatically replied, “Absolutely, yes!”

“Every time they call me I know there is a request because when they don’t call I don’t hear from them,” the former NFL star joked. “And when I don’t hear from them I know they don’t want anything.”

Joking aside, Brady noted that his kids started to understand why he made certain sacrifices as they “got a little older.”

“They begin to appreciate …. as they get older and start to have the responsibilities of an adult,” he said. “When you’re working hard to be a dad and also provide for the family that does come with being away a bit and being really focused on my job.”

Tom Brady has a ball shooting hoops at Michael Rubin’s NYC Fanatics Fest

After retiring from the league in 2023, the seven-time Super Bowl champion took a year off to be with his family and launch his wellness brand, TB12.

However, the famed football star is set to make his return to the gridiron in a different fashion next month. In May, Brady signed a massive 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports to become their NFL analyst.

Although his weekends will likely be a bit busier again, Brady has been making the most of his time off — from fulfilling a Make-A-Wish request in New York City to walking out Morgan Wallen at his Las Vegas concert.

He also recently traveled to Paris to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics alongside his daughter — and documented the fun vacation for his new vlog series, “Last Week With Tom Brady.”

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Before watching the games, the father-daughter duo spent time together in Italy celebrating the former football player’s 47th birthday. It’s unclear if his sons joined the European vacation, but the foursome went on a getaway to Montana a few weeks prior.

While little is known about Brady and Bündchen’s co-parenting and custody agreements, the exes hit a rough patch in May when he agreed to do a Netlfix roast that ended up containing a lot of jokes about their ill-fated marriage and the model’s new romance with Joaquim Valente.

Bündchen was reportedly left “deeply disappointed” by the “disrespectful” special, which she felt “once again put football before his family.”

Brady later admitted he “didn’t like” how some of the jokes “affected” his family and wouldn’t do it again.

However, at the festival Friday, Smith revealed he was recently asked to do a roast of his own and asked Brady for a bit of advice.

“They’re talking about roasting me, should I allow them to do it?” the ESPN star asked.

“Measure nine times and cut once,” Brady jokingly replied. “So think really hard about it.”

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