Brady catching some heat.
Tom Brady has gotten a lot of criticism for his broadcasting skills through the midway point of the NFL season. The seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback is halfway through his first season in the NFL on Fox booth, and he’s been called out for being too awkward, appearing uncomfortable, and being just generally “atrocious” on the mic.
Tom Brady is absolutely atrocious in the booth
— NYJ Matt (@NYJ_Matt) September 8, 2024
Of course the legendary quarterback is just settling into his new role, so it’s normal to take time for him to develop into a broadcaster and not a player.
But just 8 games into his broadcasting career, Brady has already found himself at the center of controversy – and it’s not because of his skills.
Brady and his partner Kevin Burkhardt were calling the Sunday afternoon game yesterday between the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks. During the game, Brady complimented Bills quarterback Josh Allen on his growth as a player:
“How you communicate to everybody and integrate new players becomes a great challenge for a quarterback like Josh, who has really lit the league on fire since he’s been in.
Sometimes he played like a spaz, 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 to this town.”
Did you catch that? Any idea what’s so offensive that has folks in an uproar?
My guess is probably not. But apparently, Brady’s use of the word “spaz” has people calling for the legendary quarterback to apologize.
As it turns out, “spaz” is apparently considered an “ableist slur” to some people, and “highly offensive to people who have physical disabilities.”
even if he had not used a grade school ableist slur he is still so bad at this https://t.co/EPhck0YFyK
— BOS Baby FC (@valrugs) October 28, 2024
Hey Alan @StillTalkinTV did you hear Tom Brady call Josh Allen a “spaz” in the first half of today’s Bill’s game? Highly offensive to people who have physical disabilities as well as their loved ones.
— Robb Flowers (@robb_flowers) October 27, 2024
Brady really just said a player played "like a spaz"
Ew.
— Under Zone X (Frisco)/Phoenix Check/Stick Slasher2 (@mattyfbrown) October 27, 2024
Did Tom Brady just say spaz on this feed? @FOXSports
— Clout Nine Comedy (@voidhelix) October 27, 2024
Apparently the word “spaz,” which comes from the word “spastic,” is considered especially offensive in the UK, though here in the United States it’s used more to describe somebody that’s excited, clumsy, or who has a lot of energy.
Nonetheless, we can’t miss an opportunity to get offended – and as it turns out, it’s not the first time that the word has caused an uproar recently.
Back in 2022, Beyonce removed the word from her song “Heated” when she changed the line “spazzin’ on that ass” to “blastin’ on that ass.” She issued an apology through her publicist:
“The word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”
Lizzo also removed the word from her 2022 song “Grrrls.”
I guess we’ll have to wait and see whether Brady is forced to issue an apology for using such horrifying language.
