Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen recently finalized their divorce. Will this affect Brady’s performance for the rest of the season and hurt the Buccaneers’ chances to make a deep playoff run and win another Super Bowl?
The story so far
The New York Post reported in September that Brady and Bündchen were having issues with their marriage. The reports emerged after Brady un-retired in the offseason, shortly after announcing that he was walking away from the NFL.
Brady then took a leave of absence from during the Buccaneers’ training camp to “deal with personal things,” as head coach Todd Bowles said at the time.
Brady and Bündchen had reportedly been “living separately” and on October 28, the seven-time Super Bowl champion announced on Instagram that they finalized their divorce after 13 years of marriage.
“In recent days, my wife and I finalized our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage. We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve,” Brady wrote on an Instagram story.
“We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration.
Doing so is, of course, painful and difficult, like it is for many people who go through the same thing every day around the world. However we wish only the best for each other as we pursue whatever new chapters in our lives that are yet to be written.
And we kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate what is to come in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you.”
Bündchen starting to move on
Bündchen was spotted on her “first date” since divorcing Brady. According to the New York Post, the supermodel and her two children were seen having dinner with Jiu-Jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in Puntarenas, Costa Rica last Saturday.
Bündchen and Valente did a shoot for Dust magazine with Valente’s brothers in 2021 and he reportedly gave her some MMA lessons prior to her divorce from Brady.
Brady responds
Brady’s camp reacted to the photos of Bündchen’s apparent date and they’re not happy. According to TMZ Sports: “A source close to Tom is not buying it, asking why this Miami guy is in Costa Rica with her. The source added, “It always seemed weird she just one day abruptly ended the marriage.””
That said, these are just rumors, it’s hard to know how Brady really feels, only he knows what he’s thinking. Besides, does Bündchen hanging out with Valente and Bündchen and Brady’s two kids count as a date?
The encounter took place in Costa Rica, and those who have followed Brady’s career and life know that this place is special for the ex-couple and their kids. Costa Rica has been their go-to vacation during the offseason for years.
Brady’s 2022-23 Season Stats So Far
- 2,805 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 games
- 66 Pass Completion Percentage, 6.6 Passing Yards Per Attempt
As of November 15, Brady ranks second in the league with 2,805 passing yards and is tied for the NFL lead for fewer interceptions with just two in 427 passes attempted. Yes, the Buccaneers are not exactly firing on all cylinders this season but they’re still in first place in the NFC South and Brady’s performance wasn’t the main reason behind the team’s struggles.
Those who like to wager at gambling sites that accept PayPal have noticed that Brady is no longer playing like an MVP, but that has more to do with his age. Father time is undefeated and athletes like Brady and LeBron James are realizing this.
That said, Brady has always been a special athlete who thrives in adversity, just like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Brady was taken 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft and he responded to that with a legendary career, he would never let his personal life distract him. Any issue he has is actually fueling him.
Brady has completed 58 of 87 passes for 538 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in two games after finalizing his divorce. The sample size is small but Brady is actually playing well after the divorce, leading the Buccaneers to back-to-back wins against the defending Super Bowl champion Rams and Seahawks.
The Buccaneers are now 5-5 on the season after Sunday’s 21-16 win against the Seahawks in the NFL’s first regular season game played in Germany.
