The NFL world was ablaze Sunday after Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass and was sacked by Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett, a game-changing play that was flagged for roughing the passer.
The call seemed so egregious that even Fox announcer Daryl Johnston immediately said he “didn’t understand that one.”
The roughing the passer call after the Falcons' Grady Jarrett hit the Bucs' Tom Brady, and the roasting of it from Fox's Daryl Johnston. pic.twitter.com/3ba6PCdrHm
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 9, 2022
“I just don ‘t know how you call that,” said Johnston.
The call was so wild that the referee was forced to explain it after the game, saying that the defender was “unnecessarily throwing him to the ground.” That explanation didn’t satisfy many in the NFL world either, all of whom assume that Brady got special treatment on the call because of who he is.
Referee Jerome Boger told pool reporter @gregauman that the roughing the passer penalty on #Falcons DT Grady Jarrett was for “unnecessarily throwing (Tom Brady) to the ground.” pic.twitter.com/rqxyNzjd6I
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 9, 2022
When asked about the call and whether or not he “lobbied” for a call, Brady said, “I don’t throw the flags.”
"I don't throw the flags." – Tom Brady, when asked if he lobbied the referee for Sunday's questionable roughing the passer call. pic.twitter.com/DqlYDxaZXZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 10, 2022
All of which led to Stephen A. Smith discussing the call on First Take, and the loudest man in the room certainly didn’t disappoint in giving his opinion.
“I’m pretty damn ashamed of Tom Brady, too. Because Tom Brady looked at the ref and was looking for the call,” said Smith when discussing the referee and the penalty. “I know, win at all costs, but damn. Talk about taking the competitive fervor out of the mix. Win fairly.
“Whatchu looking for a referee for? You’re Tom Brady. You’re a seven-time champion. What the hell are you looking for the official to make a call on that play? On that play?”
"I'm pretty damn ashamed of Tom Brady, too. Because Tom Brady looked at the ref and was looking for the call." – @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/f7JBvKTVBx
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 10, 2022
The Bucs are 3-2 and atop the NFC South for the moment, but Brady’s reputation has been taking hits left and right ever since he returned for what is presumed to be his final NFL season.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.