KEY POINTS

  • Gisele Bündchen said she was "proud" of husband Tom Brady and praised his dedication and focus
  • The supermodel added that she was excited about what the future holds for them
  • Brady's ex Bridget Moynahan congratulated him following his retirement announcement Tuesday

Tom Brady has the support of his loving wife Gisele Bündchen and his ex Bridget Moynahan after he decided to end his NFL career.

On Tuesday, Brady released a statement via Instagram announcing his retirement from the NFL after 22 seasons and seven Super Bowl championships, amid speculation about the future of his career following the early elimination of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the playoffs.

Following the quarterback's announcement, Bündchen expressed her support for her husband's decision via a statement, written in both English and Portuguese and issued on Twitter and Instagram Tuesday.

"What a ride my love!" the supermodel wrote alongside a series of photos of Brady and their family. "So many memories! When I met you over 15 years ago, I didn't know the first thing about football. But cheering for you and seeing you do what you love most made me learn about this wonderful game to the point that I seriously believed I knew more than the referees!"

Bündchen recalled that as a family, they "prayed for you, celebrated and supported you in every game, cheered every win and suffered with every loss" over the years.

She went on to praise Brady's dedication and focus as an athlete, saying he "never once complained over the years about all the bruises and aches and pains." She said he would only focus on his goal and being the "best leader" to his teammates.

The Brazilian model added that she was "proud" of Brady and what he had to overcome physically and mentally over the years. She wrote that she was "in awe" of his dedication, achievements as well as the "beautiful" legacy he left behind for future generations.

Bündchen concluded her statement by thanking everyone who supported her husband and their family for years and revealing that she was excited about what the future holds for them.

Bündchen, who wed Brady in 2009, shares two children with the quarterback: 12-year-old son Benjamin Rein and 9-year-old daughter Vivian Lake.

Moynahan, Brady's ex and the mother of his eldest son, 14-year-old John "Jack" Edward, also showed her support to the former NFL player on social media following his retirement.

"So proud of @tombrady. Yesterday and today and I know you will do great things tomorrow. Looking forward to the next steps," she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Brady in his Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform.

Brady's retirement was first reported Saturday by outlets such as The Boston Globe, ESPN and NFL Network Insider.

The star quarterback confirmed the move himself Tuesday in a heartfelt statement, saying he felt that it's "best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes."

"The future is exciting," Brady wrote. He then admitted he doesn't know "exactly what my days will look like" and will "take it day by day" but added that he wants to "enrich other people's lives."

Prior to Brady's announcement, he said on his SiriusXM podcast "Let's Go!" last week that he plans to spend more time with his family.

"It's been six straight months of football, every day consumed by day in and day out football," Brady said. "I think now it's just some time to spend some time with my family and spend some time with my kids."

NFL superstar Tom Brady has officially confirmed his retirement from the NFL
NFL superstar Tom Brady has officially confirmed his retirement from the NFL GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP / Maddie Meyer