Is Tom Brady sending a message to Gisele Bündchen with his comments on commitment and parenting?

Tom Brady is opening up about fatherhood in a new letter, and while he never mentions Gisele Bündchen directly, some of his words seem aimed at his ex.

In his latest 199 newsletter, Brady reflected on how his years in the NFL shaped him as a parent. He shared how dedicating himself to football, even when it meant being away from home, was, in his eyes, part of setting the right example for his kids.

“I think part of being a great father is being a great example of doing what it takes to take care of your family,” he wrote. “I chose to do it by playing football.”

© Gisele Bündchen

That message isn’t all that surprising, unless you’ve followed his very public divorce. Brady and Bündchen split in 2022 after 13 years of marriage, and a big part of the tension reportedly came from his decision to un-retire and return to the NFL for one more season. 

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Gisele had made it clear she hoped he’d be more present with the family. “I have my children, and I would like him to be more present,” she told Elle back in 2022. “I’ve definitely had those conversations with him over and over again.”

© Getty Images

Now, it sounds like Brady is offering his side, or at least, his reasoning. He went on to write: “Reading bedtime stories and helping them with homework are not the only ways to be a great parent. And neither is winning Super Bowls or MVPs. Being a great football player didn’t make me a great dad, but how I became a great player certainly had an impact.”

© Gisele Bündchen

He described the importance of “showing up day in and day out,” and doing “whatever it took to be successful, be a role model, and to provide.” The whole letter came as advice to golfer Scottie Scheffler, who recently said he’d rather be a great dad than a great golfer, but Brady questioned why.

“Sure, they’re different blocks on the pyramid,” he said, “but they’re part of the same pyramid.” Fans were quick to notice the parallels between Brady’s comments and his past with Bündchen, especially since she’s since moved on with her jiu-jitsu trainer, Joaquim Valente, and recently had a child with him.