La NFL Tom Brady, quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was fined on Fridaywith $11,139 for trying to kick Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett in last Sunday’s game of the fifth week of the NFL season.
In one of the final plays of the last period, Brady was tackled by Jarrett, they both rolled on the grass and, when the Atlanta player got up, Brady kicked him, missing him.
The Falcons defensive action was penalized for rudeness, a decision that raised controversy due to the excessive protection that the league has put on quarterbacks after the concussions they’ve suffered in recent weeks.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered two concussions, one in week three and another in week four; his relief, Teddy Bridgewater, also suffered a concussion during a week five game.
This situation motivated the NFL and the Players Association (NFLPA) to make changes to be stricter concussion protocols and in the times that an element that suffered it can play again.
In his press conference on Thursday, Brady called Grady Jarrett’s takedown as a long awkward hug and defended himself by the officials’ determination to punish the defender and not him.
“It was a long hug, a long, awkward hug from Grady. Like I said after the game, I don’t throw the flags. What I do release are electronic tablets and I didn’t have one accessible at the time. He had a hell of a game. I’ll leave it at that,” Brady said.
The biggest Super Bowl winner in history, with seven titles, was referring to the electronic tablets that he has been seen throwing to the ground in some matches as a way to vent his frustration when things don’t work out for him.
Brady avoided commenting on the sanction received, but he praised his rival’s performance.
“He played such a good match against us that I had nightmares thinking about him. Anyway I’m glad we’re done with that match. I feel good because we won,” he added.
Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett on Tuesday lamented the decision officials made in that game, because the punishment deprived Atlanta of a chance to trace the score from 21-15with which in the end they lost.
“I did not do anything wrong. That’s what really drives you a little crazy. At full speed, it may seem more malicious than it really is because referees are human too, hopefully we can review these things for the sake of defenses,” Jarrett said.
