New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has expressed his intent to play until he’s 45 years old. However, during an interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Santa Monica, California, Brady said he negotiated with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, to allow him to play for at least two more years. “I’ve negotiated that thus far. I've still got a little further to go,” said the 40-year-old Brady, per the Boston Globe. Brady said that his children – ages 10, 8 and 5 -- are not getting younger and he needs to be available to them all the time.
The veteran quarterback added that for the last 25 years, he has been playing every Sunday in the fall and winter. “I'm not there for all the things,” Brady admitted. The quarterback’s pronouncement was a surprise since Bundchen earlier mentioned that she would not interfere with her husband’s career moves.
Bundchen has allowed Brady to decide
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Bundchen said she has given Brady the right to decide regarding his career and the right time to retire. According to Bundchen, she wants Brady to be happy and fulfilled as far as his NFL career goes before he hangs up his jersey for good. However, Bundchen said that, as a wife and mother, she has the right to be concerned about Brady’s health.
“If you don’t have your health, what do you have?” said Bundchen. Earlier, it was reported that Bundchen tried to convince one of Brady’s close friends, kicker Jay Feely, to persuade the veteran quarterback to retire. Instead of following Bundchen’s request, Feely encouraged Brady to play as long as he can.
Brady plans to spend more time with family
For this reason, Brady said he wants to spend more time with his children in the offseason. The veteran quarterback plans to skip Patriots OTAs in order to go on a trip with the family. However, Brady said that he will still keep himself in shape during his vacation with family. Brady also clarified that his absence from team’s offseason’s activities is not a sign of his deteriorating relationship with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
According to Brady, he has had a great and respectful relationship with Belichick since he was taken 199th overall by the Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft. Brady admitted that Belichick is not an easy coach to play for, but he has been an incredible coach and mentor for him. Brady added that Belichick has done so much to help his career flourish in the NFL. Brady’s partnership with Belichick has resulted in five Super Bowl rings.
