Brady used an offensive term to describe Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback, during a live broadcast.
Allen was leading the Bills to a 31-10 win over the Seahawks, and Brady’s comment shocked and disappointed many fans
Social media, especially platforms like X (formerly Twitter), quickly erupted with criticism. Fans expressed outrage, calling Brady’s language “sickening” and “offensive.”
One person even referred to it as “sickening vocabulary.”
This incident adds to Brady’s challenging start in his new role as a sports broadcaster.
After signing a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports, Brady has struggled to adjust to life in the broadcast booth.
His debut received mixed reviews, with some questioning if his on-field success would translate to effective sports commentary.
Just 20 minutes into his first game broadcast, fans took to social media to criticize his performance, with some calling it “atrocious.”
Brady’s broadcasting style and use of offensive language have raised doubts about his fit for the role. On top of that, his recent purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders has added complications.
As part-owner, Brady faces restrictions, such as limited access to NFL facilities and not being able to attend team practices or production meetings.
These rules are meant to avoid conflicts of interest, but some fans believe Fox should reconsider Brady’s broadcasting role given these limitations.
Now that Brady’s Raiders ownership is official, many think these restrictions may prevent him from delivering unbiased commentary.
The backlash against Brady is reminiscent of similar controversies in recent years.
Artists such as Lizzo and Beyoncé faced criticism for including ableist language in their songs, leading to apologies and the removal of the offensive words.
Lizzo, after being criticized for using this language in her single ‘GRRRLS,’ issued a statement expressing regret and re-released the song with revised lyrics.
Beyoncé also addressed criticism after using a derogatory term in her song ‘Heated,’ promising to replace the word to prevent harm.
In his commentary, Brady described Allen as once playing ‘like a sp*z,’ which sparked immediate outrage.
The term, an abbreviation for ‘sp*stic,’ has historically been used as a derogatory term, particularly offensive to people with disabilities.
“Sometimes he played like a sp*z, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high,” Brady remarked during the broadcast late in the first quarter, with Buffalo leading Seattle 7-0.
“But now he’s controlled the chaos. He’s like a storm coming into town, and you don’t want that storm coming into this town.”
One user commented, “Did you hear Tom Brady call Josh Allen a ‘sp*z’? That’s highly offensive to people with physical disabilities.”
Another post remarked, “The ‘sp*z’ comment was uncalled for,” highlighting the insensitivity in Brady’s word choice.
These moments reflect a larger societal movement toward eliminating harmful language directed at people with disabilities.
Brady’s transition from NFL legend to broadcaster and part-owner has proven more challenging than expected.
The recent controversy, combined with the broadcasting limitations linked to his team ownership, has sparked debates about his suitability and effectiveness in his new role.
Whether Brady’s broadcasting career can overcome these initial obstacles remains uncertain, as he navigates the complexities of this high-stakes transition.
