Tom Brady Shares End of Summer Plans and Getting His Kids 'Prepared to Go Back to School' (Exclusive)

The retired NFL quarterback, who's a dad of three — Jack, Benjamin and Vivian — tells PEOPLE how he plans to spend the rest of summer before school starts again

Tom Brady has a game plan for the last few weeks of summer.

While speaking with PEOPLE exclusively at Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center in New York City on Friday, Aug. 16, the retired NFL star shared a glimpse at what's next on his busy schedule as summer starts to wind down and football season begins to amp up.

"Getting ready for Fox to do my job," Brady tells PEOPLE exclusively of continuing his new role as lead analyst on Fox since making his inaugural debut in the broadcasting booth in June. The career move marks his return to the gridiron since his retirement after 23 seasons playing in the NFL.

"So I've got a game this weekend that I'm going to do in San Fran. Just another practice game," Brady says in reference to the pre-season matchup between the San Fransisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Aug. 19.

Related: Tom Brady Reveals His Secrets for a Perfect Pass While Making a Wish Come True for a Young Quarterback (Exclusive)

Although football season for the seven-time Super Bowl winner — who spent three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 seasons with the New England Patriots — looks different these days, he says "I'm really looking forward to being on TV and connecting with the fans in a different way for sure."

Football and career aside, the NFL icon is also tending to his duties as dad of three kids — Jack, 16, Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11 — by "getting them prepared to go back to school where they should be, learning and getting back with their friends and getting back to a better rhythm," Brady says.

Meanwhile, while speaking on a Fanatics panel with sports analyst Stephen A. Smith on Aug. 16, Brady opened up about life parent with his new career, despite his retirement from playing the game.

“I got a lot of things that keep me busy but still trying to be a great dad and be there for my kids,” Brady said during their fireside chat on Friday, per Page Six.

Related: Tom Brady Shares Look at ‘Meaningful’ 2024 Paris Olympic Moments with Daughter Vivian: 'Went Above and Beyond'

"And all the parents out there know that it’s a challenge to be a good parent," he told the crowd, adding, "And all the kids I hope you appreciate your parents too! Because there’s a lot of work they put into making your life a little easier.”

Elsewhere in Brady's exclusive interview with PEOPLE on Friday, the retired NFL athlete shared a few highlights from his latest father-daughter trip to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, continuing to open up about his admiration for the athletes following his recent tribute to the Paris Games on Instagram on Aug. 8.

"I'm impressed by everybody who does things at a high level, Brady tells PEOPLE. "I love people who achieve like that. I realize they make a big commitment to wake up every day and challenge themselves."

He adds, "Life's about getting out of our comfort zone. I think when you're an Olympian, you're always pushing yourself to the limits to be the best you could be. So that was the best part about that whole event."

Related: Tom Brady Reveals His Date for the 2024 Summer Olympics: 'It's Going to Be So Fun' (Exclusive)

While the athletes left an impact on Brady, he surely is an inspiration to many — and makes time to give back to those who look up to him too.

The all-star QB did just that during Fanatics Fest in partnership with Make-A-Wish when he met and passed a football with 12-year-old Christopher Sanchez to make his dreams come true.

"So I got to meet Chris today and he's from South Florida, so we had a lot of things in common. He loves football. He's the quarterback, so it's just fun to hang with him," Brady recalls to PEOPLE about the time he shared with Sanchez, who was first diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 6 years old.

According to Sanchez, his goal is to play for the NFL when he grows up. And upon hearing that young fan — who is now in remission — dreams of following in his footsteps, Brady sweetly says, "Wow, I love that."

Looking back on Sanchez's QB skills, Brady says, "He did really well. He's actually throwing the ball good. He's got a shot. He's a good little athlete."

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