The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were fortunate to escape Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Atlanta Falcons with a 21-15 win, but you’re not going to see Tom Brady admit that.
After trailing by as much as 21 points, the Falcons scored 15 straight points and had a prime opportunity to set up a potential game-winning drive. Grady Jarrett had appeared to sack Brady cleanly on third down, which would have forced a Tampa Bay punt. But referee Jerome Boger bailed the Bucs out with one of the worst roughing the passer calls you’ll ever see.
And while NFL fans were furious about the call, even Brady wasn’t exactly rushing to defend the game-changing moment.
Tom Brady with a thoughtful, detailed explanation on why, in his mind and based on the NFL rulebook, Grady Jarrett's play was indeed roughing the passer. pic.twitter.com/sth2MCxCRu
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) October 9, 2022
During the postgame press conference, Brady was asked what he thought of that play. Brady responded by shrugging and directing that responsibility back to Boger and his officiating crew.
“I don’t throw the flags,” Brady said.
I've seen a lot of #NFL football in my life, but someone is going to have to explain this roughing the passer call in the @AtlantaFalcons / @Buccaneers game. I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like this pic.twitter.com/YvmekNYxG2
— Scott Pioli (@scottpioli51) October 9, 2022
And sure, Brady was never going to admit that the officials missed a call in his favor. But he could have explained why — from his perspective — he thought it was a roughing-level hit. He didn’t even try to go there, which was telling.
NFL fans had thoughts on this postgame moment from Brady.