Tom Brady sparked criticism once again during his Fox NFL broadcasting duties on Sunday when he was caught using a “disgusting” slur.
The NFL legend returned to the airwaves Sunday for the eighth week of his television career as he called out the Buffalo Bills’ dominant 31-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The 47-year-old, who is in the first season of his 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports, has had a shaky start to his television career and has faced criticism for his debut performance.
However, things got worse over the weekend when the seven-time Super Bowl winner was heard using an insult to describe Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
“Sometimes he played like a fool, like a grade-schooler with a sugar high, but now he’s got the chaos under control. It’s like a storm coming to town and you don’t want that storm to come to this town,” Brady said. while talking about the NFL caller’s trip toward the end of the first quarter.
Tom Brady (R) drew criticism when he used a shocking insult to describe Josh Allen (L).
The seven-time Super Bowl winner described Allen’s journey in the NFL live on Fox on Sunday.
‘Spaz’ is a slang term that is an abbreviation of the word ‘sp*stic’, which is an offensive term often used for someone who is clumsy or clumsy. It is considered an ableist insult.
Brady’s use of the derogatory term sparked a backlash from NFL fans on social media, with many left stunned and incredulous at the former quarterback’s use of the insult.
Many fans apparently couldn’t believe Brady said the term live on television 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? “It’s very offensive to physically disabled people and their loved ones,” one shocked social media user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘I think he said Josh Allen has to “just not play like a fool,” which somehow seems even worse to me. “It’s disgusting that that word is even in their vocabulary,” another responded.
“Thankful for the mute button,” a third said in response to a video of the controversial moment.
Another chimed in, expressing his displeasure writing, “Brady really just said a player played “like an idiot” Ew.”
‘The ONLY thing worse about watching your team stink all game long is having to listen to cold, boring, three-day-old dishwater @tombrady announce the game. #ShutUpDude,” another began, also criticizing Brady’s announcing skills. ‘PS: The “spaz” comment was unnecessary.’
Brady’s use of the derogatory term sparked a backlash from stunned NFL fans on social media.
In 2022, artist Lizzo removed the ableist slur from the lyrics of her single ‘GRRRLS’ in response to fan backlash.
The singer insisted that she never intended to cause any harm with her use of the word “hurtful” in her music.
“I have been informed that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS,'” the 36-year-old musician said in a statement at the time.
“Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language.”
That same year, Beyonce also removed an offensive term for disabled people from the lyrics of the song Heated.
The multiple Grammy Award winner announced the move earlier this week, after activists and disability charities called it “ableist” and “offensive.”
In the song, which was co-written with rapper Drake, Beyonce used a derogatory term for spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, in the lines: “Spazzing on that a**, spaz on that a**.”
A representative for the musician revealed that the lyrics would be changed, saying: “The word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”
Both Beyoncé (left) and Lizzo (right) faced backlash from fans for using the derogatory term in their lyrics.
Brady has found himself on a steep learning curve amid his transition from the playing field to the booth with his successful debut falling flat.
The Cleveland Browns’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys marked the beginning of his 10-year, $375 million contract as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.
However, it seemed like his skills on the football field didn’t translate to the booth, as many fans were quick to comment on Brady’s debut on the microphone.
Within 20 minutes of the NFL legend’s announcement, social media users on X, formerly known as Twitter, had already branded it “atrocious.”
And earlier this month, many claimed that Brady’s task was about to get a lot more challenging.
Brady became a co-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 officially over, ending any talk of a possible return since the Collective Bargaining Agreement prevents active players from owning or investing in NFL teams.
More importantly, the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s move to ownership means he faces a number of restrictions in his role as a Fox host.
Brady has been through a steep learning curve amid his transition from the playing field to the cockpit.
Brady’s bid to become part owner of Mark Davis’ Las Vegas Raiders was approved this month
Brady is prohibited from entering another team’s facilities, attending practices and attending broadcast production meetings virtually and in person.
He is also not allowed to criticize game officials or other clubs, while being subject to the NFL’s gaming and anti-tampering policies.
After news of his partial acquisition of the Raiders broke, NFL fans called for Fox to fire Brady because the restrictions he must follow will influence his analysis.
Many on social media claimed that the restrictions placed on Brady by the league, due to its new ownership, make his media duties redundant.
While these restrictions were already in place from the start of his television career in the summer due to his pending offer, fans now claim that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady’s contract.