David Beckham [1]'s beautiful, handsome, British face is gracing the cover of GQ's April issue [2]. The accompanying interview, which is just as long as it is fascinating, is filled to the brim with David's musings on fame, living in America, his tattoos, and life with his kids. The former soccer player has quite clearly been in Dad-mode lately, too: he supported Victoria with the rest of the family [3] at New York Fashion Week in February, and just last week he had some father-son bonding time [4] with Brooklyn. Keep reading for his newest insights, then check out some of David and Victoria's funniest parenting moments [5].

• On why he loves tattoos so much: "The tattoos are a way of me expressing deeper feelings about the things I care about and love. Am I done? Probably not . . . Think Victoria's given up on telling me to stop now. She used to. She used to say, 'Do you have to?' But she knows it makes me happy."
• On ignoring the Hollywood rumor mill: "I'm secure as a person, as a husband, as a dad. I've gone past the point of really worrying, caring. When I was 22 years old, it might have affected me differently. I'm 40, I've got four amazing kids, and an amazing wife, amazing parents, amazing in-laws, amazing friends who I trust: It doesn't matter what people say."
• On fighting back against the slander: "You know, some things get said and then you just laugh about it . . . I work hard for my money. I'm not going to give it away on legal fees all the time. There are certain battles that you pick. When they're not worth picking, they're laughable stories."
• On sheltering (and being real with) their kids: "We've always protected our children, but we've always been honest with them, as well: 'There're going to be things said about you, about us, that aren't true.' Brooklyn is 16 coming on 17, and we know he's going to make his mistakes — and we know he'll have opportunities because of us. But he's making opportunities for himself, too. So far we've been very lucky that he's found a passion. Whether people believe it or not, he's got talent. He's got a great eye — and proven that in the images he's taken."
• On spending time away from his family: "I get physically ill when I know I have to leave the kids now."
• On how he's changed throughout his career: "Over the years, you do change as a person. A steely side comes out, on the field and off the field. It sets you up to be strong no matter what."
• On being a celebrity:"I've never seen myself as a celebrity, but I see it in a positive way, the fact that people are still interested in most parts of my life."
• On living in America: "Living in L.A. was incredible. I'm an English boy, and I love being in London, but I miss living in America, because we were welcomed with opened arms."