"I couldn’t do anything right" - Shaquille O'Neal empathizes with Tom Brady over struggles caused by divorce from Gisele Bundchen
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen have officially filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage. This comes after a months-long separation that reportedly stemmed from Brady's decision to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following a 40-day retirement last offseason.
NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal experienced a similar situation to Tom Brady several years ago. He empathized with Brady's struggle on The Big Podcast, saying:
“During the 2006 Finals, I was going through a divorce, and I couldn’t do anything right. That’s when I had to give everything to D-Wade (Dwyane Wade), like, ‘I don’t have it.’"
He believes Brady's struggles on the field have nothing to do with his abilities or age:
"Tom’s going through a tough time right now. It has nothing to do with his age or football, but when you’re dealing with that real-life stuff, it takes a lot. … I know he’s going through a lot. I don’t know his situation, but I wish him well, and hopefully they can reconcile and get back together."
According to O'Neal, real-life issues have a way of pervading the sport they play and there's not much they can do about it to play better. O'Neal mentioned deferring to Dwyane Wade in the Finals, so some of Brady's Buccaneers are going to have to step up. Particularly if they want to get out of the 3-5 hole they're in.
What did Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen say about their divorce?
Tom Brady posted on his Instagram story:
“We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way."
He continued:
"We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve. We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration.”
His wife made a statement of her own:
“With much gratitude for our time together, Tom and I have amicably finalized our divorce. My priority has always been and will continue to be our children whom I love with all my heart. We will continue co-parenting to give them the love, care and attention they greatly deserve."
She continued:
"The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always.”
The two will begin a new journey following the official filing for divorce.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The Big Podcast and H/T Sportskeeda.