NFL legend Tom Brady has shocked sports and fashion enthusiasts alike by making his runway modeling debut at the Gucci Cruise 2027 show, which took place over the weekend in the middle of a bustling Times Square in New York City. Following his high-profile 2022 divorce from Gisele Bündchen, who has long been one of the world’s most prominent and highest-paid supermodels, few ever expected to see the seven-time Super Bowl champion follow in his ex-wife’s literal footsteps.
Hand-selected for the show by designer Demna, the 48-year-old former quarterback marched down the outdoor runway in a striking, monochromatic look. Brady wore a head-to-toe black leather ensemble that featured a structured leather jacket, matching trousers, and heavy biker boots.
While Brady handled the immense pressure with the poise of a seasoned athlete, the event marked the first time he had ever participated in a live high-fashion runway walk. He shared the outdoor stage with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Emily Ratajkowski, while iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford closed out the night in front of a star-studded audience that included Kim Kardashian, Mariah Carey, and Anna Wintour.
Although the runway was unchartered territory for the legendary quarterback, Brady is no stranger to the broader fashion industry. He initially stepped into the modeling world nearly two decades ago with a 2007 GQ cover and a major spread in VMan Magazine.
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Over the course of his historic athletic career, he secured global ambassador and modeling roles for major brands like Under Armour, UGG Australia, and TAG Heuer.
In 2022, Brady deepened his ties to the apparel industry by co-founding his own namesake menswear line, BRADY, acting as its primary model alongside top-tier collegiate athletes like current Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Brady also joins a growing list of NFL stars crossing over into high fashion, following Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who walked the runway at Vogue World: Paris in 2024.
Despite the monumental nature of the crossover event, Brady’s debut generated highly polarized reactions across social media, leaving many fans wondering what to make of his new look.
After fashion publications shared video clips of his walk online, internet critics quickly flooded comment sections to dissect his appearance and posture. Several netizens trolled the football icon, drawing comparisons to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in The Terminator franchise due to his rigid posture and all-leather attire.
Other users openly criticized his facial features, labeling it a “plastic robot” look and questioning why the greatest football player of all time felt the need to pursue the modeling gig. Conversely, a portion of his fanbase rushed to his defense, praising his physical conditioning and style, though even his supporters noted that the legendary athlete still needs to put in some serious work to perfect his runway walk.
