Brady outlined how he now has "no margins of error" as a 45-year-old quarterback compared to those 20 years his junior in terms of his physical preparation and recovery.
When asked by Gray about why he would consider retiring if he is still performing at a high level, Brady noted the impact of age on his priorities.
"When I was 25, there was a simplicity of 25-year-old life," Brady said.
"And I think when you're 45, and you have a lot of other commitments and obligations which are very important to you -- namely children that are growing up and things that, I haven't had a Christmas in 23 years and I haven't had a Thanksgiving in 23 years, I haven't celebrated birthdays with people that I care about that are born from August to late January. And I'm not able to be at funerals and I'm not able to be at weddings.
"I think there comes a point in your life where you say: 'You know what? I've had my fill and it's enough and time to go on, to move into other parts of life.'"
Gisele Bündchen, Brady's wife, told
Elle that she had "concerns" about her husband -- already the oldest ever NFL quarterback -- making a return from his February retirement.
"This is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present," Bündchen said. "I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again. But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy, too."
She added: "I've done my part, which is [to] be there for [Tom]. I moved to Boston, and I focused on creating a coc00n and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and to be there supporting him and his dreams. Seeing my children succeed and become the beautiful little humans that they are, seeing him succeed, and being fulfilled in his career -- it makes me happy. At this point in my life, I feel like I've done a good job on that."
Tom Brady remarked on his latest podcast appearance that he is "close to the end" of his NFL career as he continued to hint at his retirement.
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