Tom Brady made a seemingly innocuous comment about disagreeing with Brian Branch being ejected from Sunday’s Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions game. On the surface, it was a normal assertion for any broadcaster. But Tom Brady isn’t any normal broadcaster.
As part of his minority ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders, Brady is prohibited from criticizing officiating or other teams. While Brady’s comments seemingly didn’t reach the threshold of being inflammatory, this is the first instance that the NFL has had to weigh in on what will undoubtedly be a game of cat and mouse for Brady in the booth.
“I don’t love that call at all. I mean, obviously, it’s a penalty, but, to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this.”
Is Tom Brady allowed to say that? pic.twitter.com/FOVEuLWJFV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 3, 2024
But the NFL has reportedly made a decision on Brady’s comments, agreeing that they didn’t reach that particular threshold. The question was more about the proverbial line than whether Brady was crossing it or not, and Sunday’s comments provided the league an opportunity to establish said line.
According to Front Office Sports’ Alex Schiffer, Brady won’t face any punishment for reacting on-air to Branch’s ejection.
“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said. “I mean, obviously, it’s a penalty, but, to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this.”
However, the NFL didn’t feel that those comments had reached the threshold of violating Brady’s terms as a minority owner. Citing a source, FOS reported that the NFL had “no issue” with the comments and that Brady won’t be subjected to a fine.
[FOS]
