Tom Brady may be one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but when it comes to parenting, he’s quick to admit he’s far from perfect. During a candid conversation at the Fortune Global Forum in New York on Nov. 12, the seven-time Super Bowl champion shared his perspective on being a father, acknowledging that he didn’t always “score a touchdown” in the parental domain.

Brady’s journey raising his 17-year-old son Jack (with ex-wife Bridget Moynahan), son Benzoin14 years old, and her daughter Viviane11 (with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen) was marked by victories and lessons.

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‘We screwed up a lot’: Brady on the toughest job of all

Brady, now 47, has been refreshingly open about his parenting missteps, highlighting the learning curve that comes with being a father. “Being a parent is probably the hardest job we all have,” he admitted, “and we’ve screwed up a lot, and I’ve screwed up a lot as a parent.” In owning up to his mistakes, Brady also made it clear that he doesn’t consider himself an expert on parenting. Rather than striving for perfection, he aims to be “reliable and consistent” in his children’s lives. This trustworthiness, Brady explained, forms the foundation of his approach to fatherhood. Its primary objective? To create a stable and supportive presence that their children can count on, whatever their situation or life path.

Adopt a “Go for it” mentality

Brady’s parenting philosophy has its roots in his upbringing. He credits his parents, Galyn And Thomas Bradyby instilling in him a resilient and “go for it” attitude that he now tries to pass on to his children. “When I was that far back as a kid, I was a backup quarterback on a freshman team,” he reflected, “they never said, ‘Dude, don’t do that . It’s going to be too hard.’ They kind of said, ‘You know what? Whatever you want to be, go for it.'” That unconditional support helped Brady persevere and ultimately become an NFL star, and he aims to. bring the same energy to the lives of his children.

Brady is particularly encouraging about his eldest son Jack’s dreams, even if they differ from his own. Jack, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall, is embarking on a basketball career. Brady jokes about Jack’s vertical jump, saying, “Unfortunately, he jumps as high as me,” before assuring his son, “Dude, you’re going to be a stud… Whether he (dunks) or not , what does it matter? I want him to know that his father supports him“.

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Facing the Challenges of Being “Tom Brady’s Son”

Even though Brady’s name is synonymous with athletic excellence, he is keenly aware of the unique pressure it puts on his sons. He recognized the complexities his fame brings to his children’s lives, particularly for his sons, who may feel overshadowed or pressured by his achievements. “To be a boy, it sucks to be Tom Brady’s son, in a lot of ways,” he admitted, sympathizing with the struggles his sons face as they try to chart their paths.

Brady knows his children will encounter obstacles and emphasizes the importance of allowing them to tackle these challenges independently. “My children will naturally face their own challenges, and they also have to figure out how to overcome them,” he explained. Drawing on his parents’ example, he sees his role as providing support while allowing his children to experience the ups and downs on their terms.

A father who is still learning

For all his accolades, Brady makes it clear that fatherhood remains a constant journey of growth and adaptation. “I will be there to support them, like my parents did,” he said. “And I’ll learn along the way with them.”