Tom Brady on ‘80 for Brady,’ His Career and Superfans

Tom Brady announced Feb. 1 that he’s “retiring for good” from football.

“I’ll get to the point right away,” Brady, 45, said in a video posted to Twitter.

“I’m retiring for good. I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first.

“It won’t be long-winded. You only get one super-emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year.”

AARP spoke to Brady prior to the announcement.

What’s it like for you watching these four world-famous superfans go crazy for Brady?

It blows me away. They are amazing. Not only are they great actresses, but they’re spectacular people and were so sweet and welcoming to me on set. To have these icons together on a movie like this, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and, obviously, so humbling.

It’s refreshing to see age-70-plus women loving sports. What does this movie say about the enduring nature of fandom?

Sports brings so many people together, and it’s not just about the game. It’s the friendships and the camaraderie and the relationships you have before the game, during the game and after the game. The women in 80 for Brady bond over sports, but it’s really about the bond they have with each other over the course of many years.

What do your fans mean to you?

We’re playing a sport and competing, but what we do is really entertainment. So, you try to entertain people. People want to see you come through, so I always try to do my best. If someone’s paying their hard-earned money to buy a ticket, I want to be great for them.

Who are you the ultimate fan of?

Michael Jordan. I had posters of him on my wall, and he’s still one of my all-time idols. I first met him in the early 2000s, and I remember being a little nervous at the time just because of his presence. But he’s one of the greatest and a terrific guy.

You retired, then unretired last year. Is retirement overrated?

“Retirement” is a scary word. I mean, you’re not retiring from life. So, when I am done with football, I believe I have many chapters to write. You’ve got to keep your mind busy. You’ve got to keep your body active. You’ve got to keep your spirit active. You’ve got to do things you enjoy doing with people you enjoy doing them with.

Let’s say the moment eventually comes. What would an ideal day of retirement look like?

You know, 23 years into this career, some decompression and relaxation would be good. It would be nice to be a little slower paced in the morning. I still want to be really productive with things that I’m doing in the midday and then make sure I’m a present father for my kids and give them all the time they need.