Tom Brady sparked criticism again on his Fox NFL broadcasts on Sunday when he was caught using a “sickening” slur.
The NFL legend returned to the airwaves on Sunday for the eighth week of his broadcasting career, when he called the Buffalo Bills’ dominant 31-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
The 47-year-old, who is in the first season of his 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports, has had a shaky start to his TV career and was criticized for his debut performance.
However, things took a turn for the worse over the weekend when the seven-time Super Bowl winner used a slur to describe Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
‘Sometimes he played like a rocket, like a high school student on a sugar high, but now he has the chaos under control. He’s like a storm coming into town and you don’t want that storm coming into this town,” Brady said while discussing the signal caller’s NFL journey toward the end of the first quarter.
Tom Brady (R) sparked criticism when he used a shocking slur to describe Josh Allen (L).
The seven-time Super Bowl winner detailed Allen’s NFL journey live on Fox Sunday
“Spaz” is a slang term that is an abbreviation of the word “sp*stic,” an offensive term often used against someone who is clumsy or clumsy. It is considered an offensive slur.
Brady’s use of the derogatory term sparked backlash from NFL fans on social media, with many expressing bafflement and disbelief at the former quarterback’s use of the slur.
Many fans apparently couldn’t believe Brady said the term live on TV as they took to social media to wonder if their ears had deceived them.
“Did you hear Tom Brady call Josh Allen a ‘spaz’ in the first half of Bill’s game today? Very insulting to physically challenged people and their loved ones,” a shocked social media user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I think he said Josh Allen ‘just shouldn’t play like a spaz,’ which somehow seems even worse to me. Sickening that that word is even in his vocabulary,” another commented.
“Thankful for the mute button,” a third said in response to a video of the controversial moment.
Another chimed in and expressed his disgust, writing, “Brady actually just said a player was playing “like a spaz” Ew.”
“The ONLY thing worse about watching your team suck the entire game is having to listen to the cold, boring, three day old dishwater @tombrady announce the game. #ShutUpDude,” another began, also addressing Brady touting skills. ‘ps: The comment ‘spaz’ was not necessary.’
Brady’s use of the derogatory term sparked backlash from stunned NFL fans on social media
In 2022, artist Lizzo removed the offensive slur from the lyrics of her single ‘GRRRLS’ in response to fan backlash.
The singer insisted she never intended to cause harm by using the word “hurtful” in her music.
“It has been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS,'” the 36-year-old said in a statement at the time.
‘Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language.’
The same year, Beyonce also removed an offensive term for the disabled from the lyrics of the song Heated.
The multi-Grammy winner announced the move earlier this week after it was called ‘ableist’ and ‘offensive’ by disability charities and activists.
In the tune – which was co-written with rapper Drake – Beyonce used a derogatory term for spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, in the line: “Spazzing on that a**, spaz on that a**.”
A representative for the musician revealed that the lyrics would be changed, saying: “The word that is not intentionally used in a harmful way will be replaced.”
Both Beyonce (L) and Lizzo (R) faced backlash from fans for using the derogatory term in their lyrics
Brady has been on a steep learning curve during his transition from the playing field to the booth, with his blockbuster debut falling through.
The Cleveland Browns’ home season opener against the Dallas Cowboys marked the start of his 10-year, $375 million deal as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.
However, it seemed like his skills on the football field didn’t translate to the score, as many fans quickly rushed into Brady’s debut on the mic.
Within 20 minutes of the NFL legend announcing the curtain call, social media users on X, formerly known as Twitter, had already branded him “hideous.”
And earlier this month, many claimed that Brady’s job would become a lot more challenging.
Brady became part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders when his bid was finally approved by NFL owners earlier this month, meaning he now has a 10 percent stake in the team along with business partner Tom Wagner.
That minority investment means his playing career is now officially over, sidelining any talk of a possible comeback as active players are prevented by the Collective Bargaining Agreement from owning or investing in NFL teams.
More importantly, acquiring the seven-time Super Bowl winner means he will face some restrictions in his role as a broadcaster for Fox.
Brady has been on a steep learning curve during his transition from the playing field to the booth
Brady’s bid to become part owner of Mark Davis’ Las Vegas Raiders was approved this month
Brady is prohibited from accessing another team’s facilities, witnessing practices and attending production meetings virtually and in-person.
He is also prohibited from criticizing game officials and other clubs while subject to the NFL’s gambling and anti-tampering policies.
After news of his partial takeover of the Raiders broke, NFL fans called for Brady to be fired by Fox because the restrictions he is under will affect his analysis.
Many on social media claimed that the restrictions the league placed on Brady – due to his new ownership – make his media duties redundant.
While these restrictions have been in place since the start of his broadcast career in the summer due to his pending bid, fans are now claiming that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract.