Daily News 19

Tag: NFL retirement

  • Tom Brady Made ‘Desperate’ 11-Day Attempt to Save Gisele Bündchen Marriage Before Divorce

    Tom Brady Made ‘Desperate’ 11-Day Attempt to Save Gisele Bündchen Marriage Before Divorce

    Key Highlights

    • Gisele Bündchen urged Tom Brady to retire following the New England Patriots’ 2017 Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
    • Pressure for retirement began after the historic 25-point comeback in Super Bowl LI, according to reports.
    • The revelation underscores long-standing tension between Brady’s pursuit of longevity and family considerations.

    Pressure Mounts After Historic Super Bowl LI Comeback

    Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen had been advocating for her husband Tom Brady to step away from professional football since at least February 2017, when the New England Patriots engineered a record-setting 25-point comeback to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime at Super Bowl LI in Houston. The victory marked Brady’s fifth championship and cemented his status as the most decorated quarterback in NFL history, yet it also became the flashpoint for ongoing discussions about his playing future.

    Decade-Long Dynamic Between Career Ambition and Family Priorities

    The push for retirement after Super Bowl LI reflects a recurring theme throughout Brady’s final decade in New England and his subsequent tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Brady consistently expressed a desire to play until age 45, Bündchen — one of the world’s highest-paid models and a mother to their two children, Benjamin and Vivian — frequently voiced concerns about the physical toll, time away from family, and long-term health implications of the sport. The 2017 Super Bowl, widely regarded as the greatest comeback in championship history, apparently intensified those conversations rather than resolving them.

    Brady’s Eventual Retirement Timeline Extends Years Beyond Initial Request

    Despite the reported urging in 2017, Brady continued playing for five additional seasons. He led the Patriots to another Super Bowl title in 2019 (Super Bowl LIII) before departing for Tampa Bay in 2020, where he secured a seventh ring in his first season with the Buccaneers (Super Bowl LV). Brady briefly retired in February 2022, returned six weeks later for a final 2022 season, and ultimately retired for good in February 2023 at age 45 — six years after Bündchen’s initial push following the Falcons game.

    Why This Matters

    The disclosure that retirement pressure originated as early as Super Bowl LI adds significant context to one of sports’ most scrutinized marital and professional partnerships. It illustrates how elite athletes’ career decisions often involve complex family negotiations that play out privately long before public announcements. For Brady, the gap between that 2017 conversation and his 2023 retirement encompasses three more Super Bowl appearances, two more championships, and the delicate navigation of a high-profile marriage that ended in divorce in October 2022. The timeline also highlights the unique leverage quarterback longevity holds in modern NFL economics, where each additional season at an MVP level reshapes franchise trajectories and league narratives.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When did Gisele Bündchen first want Tom Brady to retire?

    Reports indicate she had been pushing for his retirement since at least the 2017 Super Bowl (Super Bowl LI), when the Patriots defeated the Falcons in overtime.

    What happened in the 2017 Super Bowl that prompted this?

    The New England Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime, marking the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and securing Brady’s fifth championship.

    When did Tom Brady actually retire?

    Brady retired for the first time in February 2022, briefly returned, and announced his final retirement in February 2023 after the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

  • Aaron Rodgers Criticized for ‘odd’ Comments on ‘secret’ Wife Amid Shailene Woodley Claims

    Aaron Rodgers Criticized for ‘odd’ Comments on ‘secret’ Wife Amid Shailene Woodley Claims

    Key Highlights

    • ESPN analyst Mina Kimes described Aaron Rodgers’ recent comments about his pregnant wife Brittani as “odd,” referencing a Bart Simpson quote during an appearance on The Sports Gossip Show.
    • Rodgers, who married Brittani in June 2025, outlined retirement plans focused on family life during a podcast appearance, stating he looks forward to “supporting my pregnant wife” and “a life of quiet.”
    • The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s remarks follow controversial claims he made about ex-fiancée Shailene Woodley, alleging she requested to sleep with another person before marriage.

    Kimes Questions Rodgers’ Framing of Family Plans

    ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes has publicly criticized the way Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke about his wife Brittani during a recent discussion of his post-football future. Appearing on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports radio show and later on The Sports Gossip Show on September 8, Kimes reacted to Rodgers’ specific phrasing regarding his retirement timeline and family aspirations. “That was my reaction. You know the Bart Simpson [quote], ‘What an odd thing to say,’” Kimes said on The Sports Gossip Show. She elaborated: “It was just a strange way of putting it, as opposed to, ‘I want to start a family.’”

    Rodgers Details Retirement Vision on Podcast

    The commentary from Kimes was prompted by Rodgers’ appearance on a recent podcast where he laid out his vision for life after a 22-year professional career and three years in college. The four-time MVP, who married Brittani in June 2025, has kept his wife largely out of the public eye aside from her first name. Discussing his retirement plans, Rodgers stated: “I’m hopefully going to be supporting my pregnant wife because we’re going to start a family and I am not going to be making a lot of appearances or statements/ And I’m looking forward to a life of quiet after 22 years in the pros and three in college, and getting my body healed up and working on a family. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

    Backdrop of Controversy Regarding Ex-Fiancée Shailene Woodley

    Kimes’ observation arrives amid renewed scrutiny of Rodgers’ past relationship with Emmy Award-winning actress Shailene Woodley. On the “Not Just Football” podcast, Rodgers made detailed claims about the dissolution of their engagement. He alleged that after proposing, Woodley told him, “before we get married I gotta go **** this guy,” and that months later she “took off the ring” and told him, “I don’t want to be with you.” Woodley has not directly addressed these specific allegations, choosing instead to laugh them off, according to reports.

    Woodley Previously Described Relationship as “Beautiful” Yet Painful

    The current discourse contrasts with Woodley’s own past reflections on the relationship. In an interview with Outside magazine, she described her time with Rodgers as “not right. But it was beautiful, as well as the ‘lowest low of [her] life.’” She added: “I felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy. I really understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment. I knew I was depressed when I looked at a tree and felt nothing.” During a 2021 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Woodley had characterized Rodgers as “a wonderful, incredible human being,” noting she “never thought I’d be engaged with somebody who threw balls for a living.”

    Why This Matters

    The intersection of Rodgers’ personal life commentary and media analysis highlights the intense public scrutiny faced by high-profile athletes regarding their off-field narratives. Kimes’ critique focuses on the linguistic framing of Rodgers’ family announcement, suggesting a disconnect between the quarterback’s public persona and conventional expressions of familial intent. Simultaneously, the resurfacing of Rodgers’ claims about Woodley—and her previous vulnerable disclosures about the emotional toll of their relationship—creates a complex public relations landscape for the veteran quarterback as he transitions into his first season with the Steelers. The situation underscores how athlete-driven media platforms allow players to control their narratives, while also inviting real-time critique from established sports journalists.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who is Aaron Rodgers’ current wife?
    Aaron Rodgers married a woman named Brittani in June 2025. He has kept her identity largely private, referring to her primarily by her first name in public appearances.
    What specifically did Mina Kimes find “odd” about Rodgers’ comments?
    Kimes took issue with Rodgers’ phrasing when discussing his retirement plans—specifically his statement about “supporting my pregnant wife because we’re going to start a family”—characterizing it as a “strange way of putting it” compared to simply saying “I want to start a family.”
    Has Shailene Woodley responded to Rodgers’ recent claims about their engagement?
    Woodley has not issued a direct response to the specific allegations Rodgers made on the “Not Just Football” podcast. Reports indicate she has “laughed it off” rather than engaging publicly with the claims.
  • Travis Kelce Avoids Tom Brady Path with Retirement Plan, Taylor Swift Family Future

    Travis Kelce Avoids Tom Brady Path with Retirement Plan, Taylor Swift Family Future

    Travis Kelce Enters 14th NFL Season Amid Retirement Speculation and Newlywed Life

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce begins his 14th NFL season at age 36 facing more questions about his future than ever before. The veteran pass-catcher enters this chapter fresh off a major personal milestone: marrying global superstar Taylor Swift on July 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Swift Supports Chiefs in Season Opener

    The couple’s wedding intensified speculation that Kelce could soon transition from the football field to family life and his expanding entertainment career. Swift was visibly present at Kansas City’s season opener against the Denver Broncos, cheering from the Arrowhead Stadium suite while proudly displaying her wedding and engagement rings. The Chiefs secured an encouraging 31-10 victory to start the campaign.

    Kelce Determined to Decide His Own Timeline

    Despite the external chatter, Kelce has not officially announced that this will be his final season. He appears committed to making the retirement decision on his own terms rather than allowing age or marriage-related expectations to dictate the timing. That approach could help him avoid the kind of prolonged uncertainty that defined Tom Brady’s retirement saga.

    Learning from Brady’s Back-and-Forth Retirement

    Brady initially announced his retirement after the 2021 season, only to reverse course 40 days later and return for another campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He eventually retired for good following the 2022 season, closing a 23-year career. Kelce seems keen to avoid similar ambiguity. After a difficult 2023 campaign in which Kansas City missed the playoffs, the veteran tight end has another opportunity to control how his story ends.

    Performance, Health, and Championship Chase Will Factor In

    His on-field production, physical condition, the Chiefs’ success, and the team’s ability to compete for another championship could all influence whether he returns in 2025. There is also personal motivation at play. Kelce reportedly was not satisfied with how last season ended, particularly after the team struggled and quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a serious injury. Instead of walking away on a low note, he wants to see what he can accomplish with Mahomes healthy and the roster whole.

    Entertainment Career and Broadcasting Ambitions

    Life away from football already offers plenty of alternatives. Kelce has expanded into television and film, appearing in projects including Grotesquerie and Happy Gilmore 2, while also exploring opportunities that could eventually lead to a broadcasting career.

    Family Plans Not a Retirement Prerequisite

    Reports suggest Swift is ready to start a family, though she does not want Kelce to feel pressured into retirement. The couple has already spent years navigating demanding schedules, with Swift touring internationally while Kelce traveled for NFL games. That dynamic could mean retirement is not a prerequisite for their next steps together.

    Fairytale Finale Still Possible

    The perfect ending for Kelce may be to give football everything he has left, chase another championship, and then walk away because he is genuinely ready. After three Super Bowl victories, a fourth—or even a fifth—could provide the storybook conclusion. Rather than repeating Brady’s back-and-forth retirement saga, Kelce appears to be positioning himself for a cleaner, more decisive transition.

  • Gisele Bundchen Drawn Into NFL Debate Again After Aaron Donald’s Return to the Rams

    Gisele Bundchen Drawn Into NFL Debate Again After Aaron Donald’s Return to the Rams

    Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams has brought Gisele Bundchen back into the NFL spotlight, reviving comparisons with Tom Brady’s controversial retirement reversal.

    The three-time Defensive Player of the Year ended his retirement after agreeing to a one-year, $20 million contract with the Rams. His wife, Erica Donald, immediately celebrated the decision on social media.

    “I let him out of the house y’all,”

    Erica wrote alongside laughing and heart emojis. NFL insider Clarence Hill Jr. responded by comparing her support with Gisele Bundchen’s public reaction to Brady’s return to football.

    “If only Gisele Bundchen had been equally supportive,”

    Hill wrote.

    Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady retirement debate resurfaces

    The comment reopened debate about Brady’s brief retirement in 2022. Brady initially stepped away from the NFL, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family, but reversed the decision six weeks later.

    Bundchen publicly supported Brady at the time, although she later expressed concerns about his return to the NFL. Reports also indicated that the couple were experiencing marital problems before they filed for divorce in October 2022.

    That history gave Hill’s comparison added significance, although Donald’s situation appears to be markedly different.

    Aaron Donald credits Erica with supporting his NFL comeback

    Donald said his return to the Rams would not have happened without his wife’s approval.

    “I think my wife played a huge part in this, me making this decision, period,” Donald said. “Because, if the wife wasn’t happy, it wasn’t gonna get done. We gotta make sure that the household was good. The kid was okay with it all, having them hard conversations, figuring things out. What I wanted to do, if I was gonna do it, how would we do it.”

    He said Erica ultimately gave him her full backing.

    “So, my wife was onboard. She said, ‘If you wanna do this, just put your 100%.’ … She played a huge part in me figuring this out because it really wasn’t an easy decision.”

    Donald first met Erica in 2015 while she was working for the Rams, and the couple later married privately.

    Donald’s comeback may be a personal decision for his family, but one social media exchange was enough to bring Bundchen and Brady’s old retirement drama back into the NFL conversation.