When Brady's Bucs hosted the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC wild-card round, Bündchen couldn't help but watch.
Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady (Dimitrios Kambouris)
"It was tough, but you know what? Let’s just be honest. It’s a team sport, and you can’t play alone," she told Vanity Fair. "I think he did great under the circumstances that he had. I mean, he had no offensive line."
The Bucs lost, 31-14, after Brady completed 35 of his 66 passes — his most attempts ever — for 351 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Dallas later lost in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers, who lost in the NFC championship to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Brady (Chris Graythen)
At the time of Bündchen's interview, shortly after the wild-card loss, Brady had not yet announced his retirement.
Bündchen was adamant football was not the sole reason for their divorce.
"Listen, I have always cheered for him, and I would continue forever," Bündchen said regarding a football ultimatum. "If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him. Believe me. I want him to achieve and to conquer. I want all his dreams to come true. That’s what I want, really, from the bottom of my heart."
Tom Brady and wife Gisele Bündchen celebrate after he won the Super Bowl in 2021. (Kevin C. Cox)
Brady announced he was retiring "for good" in February. He initially retired in 2022 but returned after just a 40-day hiatus.