Former NFL star-turned-broadcaster and minority owner Tom Brady will not face any punishment from the NFL for his criticism of the referees during a recent game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, according to multiple reports.
While commentating the game for Fox Sports, Brady (47) openly disagreed with the referees’ decision to eject Brian Branch for an illegal hit to the head with the receiver. “I don’t like that call at all. I mean, obviously it’s a penalty, but to me it has to be serious intent in a game like this,” Brady said of the call.
For most broadcasters, his criticism wouldn’t be a problem, but as part of his deal to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Brady is now prohibited from complaining about officials or the team on the air.
The NFL, however, determined that Brady did not violate those terms.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy spoke to Sports Business Journal about the incident, saying, “The concern would be if Tom was overly critical of officiating or questioning the integrity of an official or crew. That didn’t happen in this case.”
Tom Brady.
Cooper Neill via AP
Tom Brady made his first NFL appearance following ex-wife Gisele Bündchen’s baby news
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Lions ended up winning the game, beating the Packers 24-14.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who is midway through his first season as the network’s lead NFL analyst, has improved nine weeks into his first year as a broadcaster, critics say.
During a recent appearance on Let’s go! podcast — which he co-hosted before joining Fox — Brady gushed about his new job, but said broadcasting can’t beat the rush of playing on the field.
Tom Brady says he’d ‘prefer’ to still play in the NFL, but broadcasting is ‘pretty cool’
“It’s been really fun to sit back and watch these games from the 50-yard line,” Brady said. “Although I’d rather be on the field and play, because it’s a lot more fun down there, but I don’t do that anymore. But just watching from above and seeing these guys play is pretty cool,” he added.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education