The NFL might not like what Tom Brady had to say about Brian Branch’s ejection in the first half of the Detroit Lions’ game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
The Lions’ star defensive back hit Packers receiver Bo Melton in the head on an incomplete pass. Branch was called for unnecessary roughness, but the league office in New York reviewed the play and decided to eject Branch from the game.
“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said on the FOX broadcast. “I mean, obviously, it’s a penalty. But to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this. They’re gonna have to adjust the rest of the game losing their best defensive player, who I know they were expecting to have a huge day today. Not an easy guy to replace.”
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Brady’s criticism of the call has the potential to come with punishment. The 47-year-old is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and is unable to criticize the officials, along with a slew of other restrictions. While Brady kept his remarks rather tame, it will be interesting to see whether the NFL decides to discipline him.
The loss of Branch is a big one for the Lions, who are battling for first place in the NFC with the Packers. Branch has built off a strong rookie campaign in his second season in Detroit with four interceptions, 38 tackles and one forced fumble.
