Golf’s world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and NFL legend Tom Brady are sparking a debate on what truly defines greatness family or professional triumph. According to Bsgistnews, the two athletic powerhouses recently shared contrasting views on balancing fatherhood and their elite careers.
Just days before securing his first Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Scheffler made headlines with his heartfelt declaration: “This is not a fulfilling life,” he said of winning in golf. “If my golf ever started affecting my home life… that’s gonna be the last day I play.” For the 29-year-old, being a devoted husband and father clearly comes before lifting trophies.
Scheffler, now just one U.S. Open win away from a career grand slam, revealed that success on the course pales in comparison to time spent with his wife and son. “I would much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer,” he admitted in the press conference on July 15.
Brady, however, had a nuanced rebuttal in his newsletter 199. “Scottie said he’d rather be a better father and husband than a good golfer. And my question is: why are those mutually exclusive?” Brady wrote. “Part of being a great father is being a great example… I chose to do it by playing football.”
For Brady, the hours of intense training and laser focus on the game were never about personal glory but about providing for and inspiring his family. “Those were times when I believe I was doing the best possible thing for my family… teaching, by example, what it takes to be really good at your job,” he added.
Brady’s perspective is shaped by years of balancing the NFL spotlight with family responsibilities. He was married for 13 years to supermodel Gisele Bündchen, with whom he shares two children. He also has a son from a previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan. During his career, both Brady and Bündchen often spoke about the strain his professional life placed on their marriage and home.
In fact, it was during Brady’s 23rd and final NFL season in 2022 that the couple announced their divorce just months after he briefly retired and then unretired from the game.
Meanwhile, voices like sports psychologist Dr. Leah Lagos emphasize that there’s no universal rulebook for athletes. “There’s no one size fits all,” she said. “Being authentic about your preferences and priorities becomes very powerful.”
Michael Strahan, Pro Football Hall of Famer and “GMA” host, also weighed in. “Different things work for different people,” he said. “I think they’re both at different stages of parenting as well… I see both arguments. Neither is wrong. Both are great.”
In the end, whether it’s Scheffler’s family-first approach or Brady’s work-as-a-role-model philosophy, the conversation reveals that success has many faces and for today’s elite athletes, personal values often define the real victories.
