Tom Brady ‘fearful’ of what comes after football

Tom Brady ‘fearful’ of what comes after football

Even Tom Brady gets anxious about his future.

In a new podcast interview, the seven-time Super Bowl champion discussed the latter half of his football career, and what lies ahead when he finally decides to walk away from the game for good.

“I have a lot to give,” the 43-year-old quarterback said on Hodinkee Radio, a wristwatch outlet he’s invested in, while discussing his desire to help others, including mentoring young players.

“I think there’s a lot of time and energy still focused on being a great quarterback, that when that’s done, although I’m a little fearful of it ending, I am open to the belief that there will be a lot of opportunities for me to do things that I haven’t had a chance to do that I really think I can help a lot of people.”

The topic of retirement isn’t anything new to Brady, who in 2017 told ESPN he wanted to play at least until his “mid-40s.” Brady even said at the time that he wouldn’t rule out attempting to play at age 50.

Tom Brady won his seventh Super Bowl on Feb. 7, 2021Tom Brady won his seventh Super Bowl on Feb. 7, 2021Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Any doubts about his longevity have been put on hold after leading the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship in his first year with the franchise last season. He previously spent two decades with the Patriots, who picked him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

“I wasn’t born a prodigy, like a two-year-old the world bestowed greatness on,” Brady said on the podcast.

“I had a process I went through. I had a lot of normal moments in my life to kind of create a baseline against… I have a lot of things that are relatable to a lot of people, just based on my experience in my life. So I feel like I’m pretty grounded in that sense.”

While Brady is planning for the future, he’s focused on living in the present — and football, which he compared to a form of meditation, is the thing that keeps him grounded.

“I think I’m just hanging on to those last moments where I still feel like I have the competitive desire to train hard and put my team in a position to succeed,” he said. “I took on a big challenge going to Tampa, I don’t think the final story has been written yet.”

Before leading the Buccaneers to a title, Brady won six Super Bowls with the Patriots. He will turn 44 in August.