Why NFL Didn’t Fine Tom Brady For Criticism Of Lions Ejection

Tom Brady needs to be careful with what he says during a FOX broadcast, and the NFL clarified the rules for the former New England Patriots quarterback.

Brady began his broadcasting career this season after signing a lucrative contract in 2022. The 47-year-old also was approved to be part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. How can the future Hall of Fame signal-caller balance these presumed conflicts of interest?

The NFL placed limits on Brady’s access and what he could say on a broadcast. He seemed to test those limits last Sunday when he offered his opinion of Brian Branch’s ejection in the Detroit Lions-Green Bay Packers matchup.

“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said on the FOX broadcast, per Pro Football Talk. “I mean, obviously that’s a penalty. But, to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this.”

Branch was flagged for an illegal hit on a wide receiver, and rules analyst Dean Blandino corrected Brady and said that intent did not matter in the disqualification ruling. But it was clear that Brady criticized the ruling and misstated the outcome. This did not merit a fine for the Raiders minority owner.

“The concern would be if Tom was egregiously critical of officiating or called into question the integrity of an official or the crew. That did not occur in this instance,” the NFL told PFT.

“Egregious” is a subjective term and didn’t seem to apply to other owners and coaches who’ve been fined for criticizing the officials. Whether or not Brady deserves special treatment in his role as broadcaster and part-owner also is subjective, but it’s a unique situation that will continue to be examined.