NFL Won't Punish Tom Brady for Comments

Tom Brady will not face punishment for comments made during the Lions-Packers game, where he criticized the ejection of Lions defensive back Brian Branch. Despite Brady's minority ownership in the Raiders, which prohibits him from publicly criticizing officials, the NFL determined his remarks did not reach the threshold for a violation. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy clarified that Brady was not egregiously critical or questioning the integrity of officials, allowing for a more lenient interpretation of the rules. Brady stated, "I don’t love that call at all" regarding Branch's ejection for unnecessary roughness, but the league expressed no issue with his comments. This incident has led to discussions on the boundaries of Brady's role as an analyst while navigating his ownership responsibilities. The NFL has historically fined owners for similar criticisms, but such instances remain rare.