In his latest newsletter, Tom Brady shared a candid moment, reflecting on the challenges of balancing parenting with his illustrious career as an NFL analyst and entrepreneur.

In the latest edition, the 48-year-old retired quarterback admitted feeling overwhelmed last week, acknowledging that “life finally caught up to me” as he navigated his demanding schedule.

The NFL icon is a father to three children: his eldest son Jack, 18, with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan, and Benjamin, 15, and Vivian, 12, with ex-wife Gisele Bundchen.

In addition to family life, Brady is immersed in his second season as Fox’s lead NFL color commentator under a 10-year, $375 million contract, while also managing various business ventures.

Brady expressed a hint of frustration about his hectic life as a working father, noting that “it’s been a busy October.”

‘We’re more than a third of the way through the NFL season now,’ he penned. ‘School is in full swing for the kids. Personally, I’ve had another amazing CardVault store grand opening, a couple great collabs with Speed, another with Oz the Mentalist, and then there were the regular media hits as part of my role on FOX and the regular duties I have as a dad, a son, a business partner, an investor, and an owner.

Tom Brady admitted to struggling with juggling parental duties and his high-profile career 

The NFL legend is father to three children, eldest son Jack, 18,  son Benjamin, 15, and daughter Vivian, 12. Pictured with ex-wife Gisele Bundchen in 2021

‘Needless to say, I’ve been busy. It’s been a crazy October.’

He added: ‘Last week it all finally caught up to me. I was rundown and a little under the weather. It happens to all of us at one point or another. Illness. Injury. 

‘No matter how careful or healthy you are, if you are in a lot of different places every week, interacting with lots of different people, doing lots of different things to maximize every waking hour of your day, eventually a bug is going to get you. It’s your body’s way of telling you to slow down a bit.’ 

Brady went on to reveal his tips for ensuring his body stays resilient, including nine hours of sleep per night, staying hydrated and a strict nutrition regiment.

Yet, it was his comments on juggling family life with professional life that raised eyebrows given they come just months after he was perceived to slight his ex-wife Gisele. 

The Brazilian supermodel had publicly complained about Brady’s dedication to the NFL in the past which, in her view, came at the expense of their family – especially when he reversed his retirement decision in 2022.

But Brady appeared to his back in a July edition of his newsletter, writing: ‘I think part of being a great father is being a great example of doing what it takes to take care of your family. I chose to do it by playing football.’

He continued: ‘My dedication to the sport, the hours of practice, the moments when I was laser focused – those were times when I believe I was doing the best possible thing for my family and my kids, by prioritizing my profession and teaching, by example, what it takes to be really good at your job, what it takes to follow through on commitments, what it takes to be a great teammate; and showing them, also by example, that work is a big part of all of our lives.

Brady shares Benjamin and Vivian with Bundchen, who he split from in October 2022

Brady is pictured with his eldest son Jack, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday

Brady shares Jack with his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan

Bundchen was said to have encouraged Brady to retire the first time around amid fears for his health in the game, as well as wanting them to spend more time together as a family.

‘Obviously, I have my concerns – this is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present,’ she told Elle in September 2022. ‘I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again.

‘But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for (them). He needs to follow his joy, too.’

Bundchen added: ‘I’ve done my part, which is be there for Tom. I moved to Boston, and I focused on creating a cocoon and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and to be there supporting him and his dreams.

‘Seeing my children succeed and become the beautiful little humans that they are, seeing him succeed, and being fulfilled in his career – it makes me happy. At this point in my life, I feel like I’ve done a good job on that.’

Brady would go on to play one more season in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, retiring in 2023 after they lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys.