Did Tom Brady Just Subtly Shade Gisele Bündchen? Fans Think So

Tom Brady had a lot to say about what it takes to be a great father and a great athlete in the Tuesday, July 29 edition of his newsletter, 199—and some fans think he might’ve been referencing his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen.

The 47-year-old football icon appeared to be responding to a quote from 2024 British Open champion Scottie Scheffler, who said he’d rather be a better father and husband than a good golfer.

Brady replied: “Why are those mutually exclusive? Sure, they’re different blocks on the pyramid, but they’re part of the same pyramid. They’re connected!"

The ex-New England Patriots player added, “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. 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.”

But it was one section in particular that drew attention: “Remember, your children are watching everything. They see what you do in every aspect of your life and how you do it. Reading bedtime stories and helping them with homework are not the only ways to be a great parent.”

After the newsletter went live, social media users began speculating that some of Brady’s comments were aimed at Bündchen, 45, with whom he shares two children: Benjamin, 15, and Vivian, 12. (Brady is also dad to Jack, 17, whom he shares with actress and former partner Bridget Moynahan.)

"'Yes Dad, we're SO happy you decided to put your career first so that now you and Mom are divorced and Mom had another kid with another man,' said no kid EVER," one person wrote on X.

"Yes well, that's the hill he has to die on for the rest of his life, given he's chosen to sacrifice his family for his career.. Sorry, but I think his kids would rather have had their dad and mom still married," another added.

"Men can't take the fact that a woman can move on and be happy without them!" chimed in a third on Instagram.

"Why when he chose football every single time!!!" someone else said.

While Brady never mentioned Bündchen by name, the speculation ties back to her comments during their marriage—made just weeks before their October 2022 divorce—when she told Elle she had "concerns," adding, "this is a very violent sport… and I would like [Brady] to be more present.”

In a 2023 Vanity Fair interview, Bündchen clarified that football wasn’t the sole reason for their split.

“What’s been said is one piece of a much bigger puzzle. It’s not so black and white,” she said of Brady’s career at the time. “When you love someone, you don’t put them in a jail and say, ‘You have to live this life.’ You set them free to be who they are, and if you want to fly the same direction, then that’s amazing.”