Tom Brady Explains His Brief Leave of Absence From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers During Preseason: What He’s Said

Credit: David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock

Tom Brady Explains His Brief Leave of Absence From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers During Preseason: What He's Said

Even pros need a break. Tom Brady raised eyebrows when he briefly stepped away from NFL preseason — but he's attempted to offer sports fans some clarity since. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles revealed during an August 11 press conference that the quarterback, 45, was "excused" from training. "He's going to deal with some personal things," Bowles said at the time, noting that Brady's leave had been predetermined by the coaching staff. "[There's] something he needs to handle." The former New England Patriots player returned to the field after 11 days, offering reporters a cryptic explanation on August 27. "It's all personal, you know. Everyone's got different situations that they're dealing with," the California native said. "We all have really unique challenges to our life. I'm 45 years old, man. There's a lot of s–t going on, so just gotta figure out life the best you can. It's a continuous process." At the time, Brady asserted that he was "ready to go" and wouldn't let outside distractions deter from his game. "I feel good," he noted. "I've played football for a long time. I'm pretty good at it. Doesn't take long for me to remember how to play it." [jwplayer XlQCfnjp-zhNYySv2] The three-time NFL MVP announced his retirement from pro football in February, only to walk back his decision less than two months later. "I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible," he tweeted in March. "I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa." Brady shares two children — Benjamin, 12, and Vivian, 9 — with his wife, Gisele Bündchen. He is also the father of son Jack, 15, with ex Bridget Moynahan. Upon announcing his retirement, the Michigan University alum stated that it was "time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention," including his family. Returning to the sports spotlight, however, has made juggling fatherhood and football even more of a challenge. "You can't stop your life even though sports is happening," Brady told guest Jim Gray during the September 5 episode of his "Let's Go" podcast. "Even though I'm playing in my 23rd year, I have a [son who's a] freshman in high school that is playing football, too. I have a 12-year-old that is going through his life. I have a 9-year-old that is going through her life. And I have parents." He continued: "Once football season comes, I really lock in on what I need to do and how I need to focus and the kind of commitment I need to make for the organization." Ahead of his short break, Brady exclusively told Us Weekly that he could "do a better job at" balancing his responsibilities. "I think for me, it's just a matter of making sure in the off-season, I try to cover a lot of things and make sure a lot of things are taken care of," he said in June. "And then when a football season comes, I can really focus on football." Scroll down for Brady's explanation for his leave of absence in his own words:

Credit: David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock

Tom Brady Explains His Brief Leave of Absence From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers During Preseason: What He's Said

Even pros need a break. Tom Brady raised eyebrows when he briefly stepped away from NFL preseason — but he's attempted to offer sports fans some clarity since. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles revealed during an August 11 press conference that the quarterback, 45, was "excused" from training. "He's going to deal with some personal things," Bowles said at the time, noting that Brady's leave had been predetermined by the coaching staff. "[There's] something he needs to handle." The former New England Patriots player returned to the field after 11 days, offering reporters a cryptic explanation on August 27. "It's all personal, you know. Everyone's got different situations that they're dealing with," the California native said. "We all have really unique challenges to our life. I'm 45 years old, man. There's a lot of s–t going on, so just gotta figure out life the best you can. It's a continuous process." At the time, Brady asserted that he was "ready to go" and wouldn't let outside distractions deter from his game. "I feel good," he noted. "I've played football for a long time. I'm pretty good at it. Doesn't take long for me to remember how to play it." [jwplayer XlQCfnjp-zhNYySv2] The three-time NFL MVP announced his retirement from pro football in February, only to walk back his decision less than two months later. "I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible," he tweeted in March. "I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa." Brady shares two children — Benjamin, 12, and Vivian, 9 — with his wife, Gisele Bündchen. He is also the father of son Jack, 15, with ex Bridget Moynahan. Upon announcing his retirement, the Michigan University alum stated that it was "time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention," including his family. Returning to the sports spotlight, however, has made juggling fatherhood and football even more of a challenge. "You can't stop your life even though sports is happening," Brady told guest Jim Gray during the September 5 episode of his "Let's Go" podcast. "Even though I'm playing in my 23rd year, I have a [son who's a] freshman in high school that is playing football, too. I have a 12-year-old that is going through his life. I have a 9-year-old that is going through her life. And I have parents." He continued: "Once football season comes, I really lock in on what I need to do and how I need to focus and the kind of commitment I need to make for the organization." Ahead of his short break, Brady exclusively told Us Weekly that he could "do a better job at" balancing his responsibilities. "I think for me, it's just a matter of making sure in the off-season, I try to cover a lot of things and make sure a lot of things are taken care of," he said in June. "And then when a football season comes, I can really focus on football." Scroll down for Brady's explanation for his leave of absence in his own words:

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

September 2022

Brady opened up about the challenges of being a working dad during the September 5 episode of his "Let's Go" podcast. "I think your life ebbs and flows, through the clouds and the sun, and through the rain and through the beautiful days, and you appreciate the moments and you find joy in the little things," he said. "I spoke with my dad the other day. He said, 'All you can do is the best you can do with the circumstances that are presented in front of you.'"

Credit: David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock

August 2022

"It's all personal, you know. Everyone's got different situations that they're dealing with," the seven-time Super Bowl champ told reporters on August 27 after returning to training camp, adding, "There's a lot of s–t going on."

Credit: Eric Canha/CSM/Shutterstock

August 2022

Though some fans began to speculate that Brady's absence from summer training meant he was competing on The Masked Singer season 8, the athlete was quick to shut down the rumors. "Wasn't on the masked singer last week," he tweeted on August 22, sharing a clip of a person — whose face was concealed by a helmet — riding a motorcycle. "Was wearing a mask though."

Credit: Steve Nesius/UPI/Shutterstock

August 2022

Coach Bowles explained during a press conference on August 11 that Brady was taking a brief break from preseason "to deal with some personal things."