Tom Brady, a former NFL star quarterback, is only starting out in broadcasting, but he’s already generating headlines. Over the weekend, Brady made a joke during Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers that may have resulted in NFL sanctions. During the second quarter, Lions safety Brian Branch executed a bone-crunching hit on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton.
Officials determined that the blow struck the defenceless receiver’s head and neck, and ejected Branch. “I don’t enjoy that phone call. “I mean, obviously, it’s a penalty, but that has to be serious intent in a game like this,” Brady said of the play. Brady, as a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, is apparently not allowed to publicly criticize authorities, something his work in the broadcast booth touched on this weekend and will continue to do so in the future.
Despite his vocal criticism of officiating, the league has allegedly decided not to penalize him for his actions. “Tom Brady will not be punished for his comments during Sunday’s Packers-Lions game,” Front Office Sports stated. Brady will not be fined for his comments, and the NFL seemed to have “no issue” with what he said. “The NFL had ‘no issue’ with Brady’s comments after Lions DB Brian Branch was flagged and ejected for hitting Packers WR Bo Melton in the head,” the Front Office Sports report said. According to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, Brady will be “prohibited” from criticizing officials while serving as a part owner of the Raiders.
“He would not be allowed to publicly criticize game referees or other clubs. While Brady could theoretically disagree with a decision on the air, he would face penalties or perhaps suspension if he went too far,” Wickersham noted at the time. His words were certainly not “too far.”
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