Tom Brady is once again donning the metaphorical jersey of football enthusiasm. This time, however, the legendary former NFL quarterback—who first announced his retirement in 2022 and officially stepped away from the sport in 2023—is gearing up to compete in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. This groundbreaking global flag football extravaganza is set to unfold at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in March 2026, as reported by Fox Sports.
Hosted by the charismatic Kevin Hart, the event will bring together three stellar teams composed of both current and retired football luminaries, including Odell Beckham Jr., Christian McCaffrey, Rob Gronkowski, Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, and many more. Tom Brady, brimming with excitement, can hardly contain his enthusiasm for the opportunity to face off against such illustrious names. "I've played against a lot of these guys," he shared in an interview published on September 15. "I obviously have a tremendous amount of respect for them."
The 48-year-old veteran found it even more exhilarating because he played a pivotal role in assembling the teams. "It was really cool to see the reception they got," Tom recounted. "When I called them up and said, 'Hey,' and spoke to different team owners—I obviously wanted to reach out and say, 'Hey, I'd love to ask so-and-so to play.'" He beamed with pride, adding, "It's just a fantastic opportunity for these players to travel and experience a different part of the world while playing a game they deeply love."
As for returning to the field post-retirement, the former Patriots quarterback is unfazed. "It's like riding a bike," he quipped with a grin. "You know, I've been doing this for over 30 years. It gives me a great chance to go out there and hone my skills." And he's not just going for the experience—he's aiming for glory. "I will be bringing home the trophy," he declared with confidence.
Yet, amidst the excitement of his return, Tom also cherishes the positive aspects of his retirement. Most notably, he's been able to spend more quality time with his children—his 17-year-old son Jack, whom he shares with ex-partner Bridget Moynahan, as well as his kids Benjamin, 15, and Vivian, 12, with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen. "I love those little kiddos more than anything," he gushed to E! News in 2024. "I love spending time with them. They're the highlight of every day for me."
The Hall of Famer continued with warmth, "They brighten our lives in countless ways. They teach us so much. They remind us to be truly present with them."
