Tom Brady is clearly still adjusting to his role as NFL broadcaster after more than two decades of playing in the league, with the future Hall of Famer making a profound, potentially expensive error during Sunday’s broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles versus New York Giants game.
Now into his second season as a commentator for Fox Sports, Brady seemingly dropped a f-bomb on live television while conversing with broadcast partner Kevin Burkhardt about Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
The seven-time Super Bowl Champion spoke about Hurts’ proficiency in evading the tackle, as well as his overall run game. “He’s such a powerful runner. He always has these good instincts in the pocket. Whenever I watch him play it’s like the d-line is almost there to get him,” Brady raved.
“And then nope! He just squirts away and they can’t f—ing – just like that.”
Social Media Reaction
Several social media users picked up on the flub, with someone writing on X, “He’s not very good,” while another pointed out, “He was an athlete long before he was a broadcaster. That’ll always be his identity first.”
Another suggested that Brady could get in trouble.
Did @TomBrady just drop a “…they can’t f*cking…” in the Eagles/Giants game, or am I hearing things? pic.twitter.com/SivxmJnot2
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) October 26, 2025
The Rules of the FCC
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) explicitly states on their website that “obscene, indecent and profane content” is prohibited “from being broadcast on the radio or TV.”
Although each case is different, the FCC previously ruled in 2023 that NBC was in violation of 18 U.S. Code § 1464 by using the “f-word” during its broadcast of the Emmy Awards, and warned that “broadcasters are on clear notice that, in the future, they will be subject to potential enforcement action for any broadcast of the “F- Word” or a variation thereof in situations such as that here.”
Enforcement can include fines.
Fox Sports did not immediately respond to Men’s Journal’s request for comment on a FCC violation.
Other Broadcasting ‘Controversy’
Since joining network television as a broadcaster, Brady has had to defend himself against criticism he is poor at his job, as well as a potential “conflict of interest.”
“Since retiring from the NFL, life has taken me not away from football, but closer to it, by becoming a broadcaster for FOX and a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders,” Brady wrote in his weekly newsletter back in September.
“As a broadcaster, I want everyone who tunes into FOX on Sunday afternoons to feel like they got their money’s worth for the three hours they entrust to our entire team. Those are precious hours for busy, hardworking people. We owe them a return on that investment, which is to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. For me, it’s to entertain and inform and to help create a great viewing experience by drawing on the deep well of knowledge and wisdom I have gained from playing high level football for nearly thirty years.”
Brady emphasized that his role as the Raider’s minority owner did not impact his ability to commentate impartially, writing in part, “I have a moral and ethical duty to the sport; which is why the point where my roles in it intersect is not actually a point of conflict, despite what the paranoid and distrustful might believe.”
“I believe that if I do my job as a broadcaster the right way, as best as I know how to do it, with passion and openness, with a helpful, positive, optimistic mindset, the result will be more informed fans who grow to love football the way I do. Fans who understand the game better. Fans who come to identify, appreciate, and expect the kind of we-first team play that was a central part of my success as a player and a key factor in the joy I got out of the game.”
Brady’s next call will come during week 10 of the season, in a game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders on November 9.
