Dan Sostek
pennlive.com
The long-rumored story appears to be official.
According to TMZ.com and confirmed on the star’s Instagram story, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen are officially filing paperwork for divorce on Friday, setting in motion the end of a 13-year marriage.
The news comes a day after a report came out that Bündchen had given Brady an ultimatum to retire from the NFL or she’d officially leave, which was then followed by the quarterback and his Bucs losing a 27-22 game to Baltimore on Thursday night.
“In recent days, my wife and I finalized our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage,” Brady said. “We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude fo the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will 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.”
The seven-time Super Bowl champion and 15-time Pro Bowler had announced his retirement in February, but quickly reversed course and returned to the Buccaneers. Since then, reports have flown around about trouble with the A-list marriage, with the most notable red flag being the QB taking 11 days off from his team’s training camp.
TMZ says the divorce has been in the works since September, and that the documents will be filed in Florida.
According to the site, the two have been working with mediators to settle property and custody issues. The settlement will remain confidential.
Gisele has reportedly been concerned for Brady’s health continuing to play football at age 45.
“We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration,” Brady said. “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 are yet to be written.”
Bündchen, 42, and Brady began dating in 2006, and married in 2009. They have had two children together, Benjamin and Vivian.
Brady has had arguably the toughest season of his career this year, dropping to two games under .500 for the first time of his career after Thursday’s loss. He has emphasized he will not retire before this season—his 23rd in the league—ends.
“We kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate what is to come in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you,” Brady wrote.
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