Seven-time Super Bowl winner breached the conditions of his broadcast contract.
Tom Brady, who played for the New England Patriots for 20 years under previous coach Bill Belichick, has a history of disciplinary issues with the NFL.
Brady’s statements in Sunday’s 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers may have put him in the league’s crosshairs, despite switching to a headset.
Brady’s minority ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders was approved by NFL owners earlier this year, and he was given special regulations to follow. Among them was a requirement that he not criticize NFL officials during any games he broadcast.
Brady may have violated that agreement during the second quarter of Sunday’s game, when he appeared to argue with the officials’ decision to remove Lions safety Brian Branch for hitting Packers receiver Bo Melton in the head while contesting a ball.
“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady remarked. “Obviously, it’s a penalty, but to me, there has to be serious intent in a game like this.”
Whether Brady actually broke the conditions of his ownership agreement is up to interpretation, given the restrictions appear to be unclear.
According to the spirit of the law, he did publicly criticize the officials. However, his phrasing was so moderate, and he really agreed with the penalty call, that the NFL could either enforce its severe regulations or ignore them.
Brady’s first transgression would most likely result in a five-figure fine. Regardless matter what happens, Brady may be playing with fire if he’s pushing his bounds to see what he can and cannot get away with.
