Tom Brady may be a legend on the football field, but he’s quick to admit he’s still figuring things out when it comes to parenting. The seven-time Super Bowl champion opened up about his struggles as a father during a recent panel at the 2024 Fortune Global Forum in New York City.
In a candid discussion, Brady revealed that despite his professional accomplishments, he faces his share of challenges in fatherhood, emphasizing that he’s “screwed up a lot” along the way.
Brady shares three children: his 17-year-old son Jack with actress Bridget Moynahan, and his younger son and daughter—Benjamin and Vivian—with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen.
Speaking to a room full of professionals, Brady reflected on the ups and downs of raising his children under the shadow of his high-profile career. “All the parents in the room know that being a parent is probably the hardest job all of us have. And we screw up a lot,” he said, underscoring that he’s no “expert” in parenting, despite being a global sports icon.
Brady is determined to create a supportive environment for his kids, modeling his own approach after the encouragement he received from his own parents.
He explained that when he was a longshot quarterback in high school, his parents didn’t discourage his dreams. “They never said, ‘Man, don’t do that. It’s going to be too hard,’” Brady recalled. “They kind of said, ‘You know what? Go for it.’” It’s a lesson he’s trying to pass down to his kids, especially Jack, who stands 6-foot-5 and is exploring his own path in basketball.
Brady also shared that he tries to be “dependable and consistent” for his children, even as he acknowledges that it can “suck to be Tom Brady’s son” due to the inevitable comparisons. His goal, he said, is to be a steady source of encouragement, allowing them to carve out their own identities.
With a hint of humor, Brady shared how he tells Jack, “‘Dude, you’re gonna be a stud. Wait till you hit your growth spurt,’” but he made it clear that his support isn’t based on whether Jack becomes a star athlete or not. “Whether he does or not, who cares? I want him to know that his dad’s got his back.”
Brady’s reflections on parenthood come just weeks after Bündchen announced her pregnancy with boyfriend Joaquim Valente, the Jiu-Jitsu instructor she’s been linked with since her split from Brady in 2022. Brady and Bündchen were married for 13 years before their high-profile divorce, and Brady’s remarks reflect his ongoing commitment to being a positive presence in his kids’ lives, despite the changes in their family structure.
Looking forward, Brady acknowledges that his kids will face their own unique challenges, and he’s committed to supporting them every step of the way. “I’ll be there to support them a lot like my parents did. And I’ll be learning along the way right there with them.” It’s a reminder that even for one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, the journey of fatherhood is filled with learning, growth, and—above all—a dedication to being there, no matter what.
