Tom Brady’s newest teammate has four paws and a very familiar face.
The 48-year-old NFL legend has welcomed a new puppy into his family — but this isn’t just any pup. Brady revealed that his newest furry companion, Junie, is actually a clone of his late dog, Lua, who passed away nearly two years ago.
The retired quarterback partnered with biotech firm Colossal Biosciences to make the scientific feat possible, using a simple, non-invasive blood draw from Lua before she passed.
“I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family. A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family’s elderly dog before she passed,” he explained in a press release.
He described the experience as “a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog.”
Brady, who shared Lua with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, also spoke about the emotional and scientific sides of the process. “I am excited how Colossal and Viagen’s tech together can help both families losing their beloved pets, while helping to save endangered species.”
The pioneering company, Colossal Biosciences, has already made headlines for reintroducing extinct animals like the dire wolf. Viagen, their partner in the project, has been cloning pets since 2016 — with clients including Barbra Streisand, who cloned her dog Samantha in 2017, and Paris Hilton, who welcomed her cloned Chihuahua Diamond Baby in 2022.
For Brady, though, the decision wasn’t about novelty — it was about love and healing. Lua was a deeply loved member of his family, and bringing Junie into his life offers both comfort and continuity.
While cloning remains controversial, Brady’s story highlights the deeply personal reasons some pet owners turn to science to hold onto the bonds they’ve lost.
As Junie settles into her new home, Brady’s message is clear — love transcends even time, science, and loss. Sometimes, the heart just knows when it’s time to bring an old soul home again.
