Annie Walton Doyle
Tom Brady recently ignited controversy during his Fox NFL broadcast, drawing widespread backlash after using a slur.
Brady used an offensive term to describe Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback.
Brady’s comment, made live during Allen’s impressive performance leading the Bills to a 31-10 win over the Seahawks, left many fans shocked and disappointed.
Social media exploded with reactions, as fans voiced disbelief that Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and football icon, would use such language.
Comments on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) reflected the outrage, with fans labeling his remarks as ‘sickening’ and ‘offensive.’
One person even said it was ‘sickening vocabulary.’
This incident adds to a challenging start for Brady in his new broadcasting career.
Having recently signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports, the former quarterback is still adapting to life in the broadcast booth.
His debut was met with mixed reviews, and many questioned whether his on-field skills could translate to effective sports commentary, MailOnline reports.
Just 20 minutes into his first game broadcast, fans expressed dissatisfaction on social media, with some even calling his performance ‘atrocious.’
Brady’s commentary style and recent language choice have raised questions about his suitability for this high-profile role.
Furthermore, Brady’s recent purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders has created additional complications for his broadcasting role.
As part-owner, he faces strict limitations, including restricted access to NFL facilities and a prohibition on attending team practices or broadcast production meetings.
These constraints, intended to prevent conflicts of interest, have led some fans to suggest that Fox should reconsider Brady’s role.
While these limitations were put in place before his Raiders acquisition was finalized, they now carry new weight, as many believe they may inhibit his ability to provide unbiased commentary.
The backlash against Brady mirrors similar instances in recent years.
Artists like Lizzo and Beyoncé faced criticism for including ableist language in their music, eventually apologizing and removing the words from their songs.
Lizzo, after being called out for the use of this language in her single ‘GRRRLS,’ released a statement expressing regret and reissued the song with revised lyrics.
Beyoncé also responded to criticism after using a derogatory term in her song ‘Heated,’ pledging to replace the word to avoid causing harm.
During his commentary, Brady described Allen as once playing ‘like a sp*z,’ sparking immediate outrage.
The phrase, an abbreviation for ‘sp*stic,’ has historically been used as a derogatory term, especially offensive to individuals with disabilities.
“Sometimes he played like a sp*z, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high,” Brady said on the broadcast towards the end of the first quarter while Buffalo had a 7-0 lead over Seattle.
“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 wrote: “Did you hear Tom Brady call Josh Allen a ‘sp*z’? Highly offensive to people who have physical disabilities.”
Another post noted: “The ‘sp*z’ comment was uncalled for,” pointing out the lack of sensitivity in Brady’s choice of words.
These instances underscore a broader societal shift towards eliminating language that is harmful to people with disabilities.
Brady’s shift from NFL legend to broadcaster and part-owner has proven more complex than anticipated.
The recent controversy, coupled with the broadcasting restrictions tied to his team ownership, has ignited debates about his effectiveness and appropriateness in his new role.
Whether Brady’s broadcasting career will recover from these initial hurdles remains to be seen, as he navigates the challenges of this high-stakes transition.
“Sometimes he played like a sp*z, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high, 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.” – Tom Brady on Josh Allen pic.twitter.com/nSYGezx0vf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 28, 2024
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