Tom Brady's 'Kick the Dog' Comment Sparks Animal Rights Outcry
Tom Brady's Jaw-Dropping Comment Sparks Outrage: Did the NFL Legend Just Encourage Animal Abuse on Live TV?
In a shocking turn of events, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has found himself at the center of a heated controversy after making a seemingly innocuous comment during Sunday's NFL action. However, fans and animal rights groups are now accusing him of promoting violence against animals.
The offending remark was made by Brady while working as a Fox Sports analyst for the network's broadcast of the Chicago Bears' upset over the visiting Dallas Cowboys in Chicago. As George Pickens slammed his helmet down on the sidelines in frustration, Brady quipped, "And Picks is not happy, yeah, those moments can be... like the dog at home. Kick the dog, throw the helmet, whatever it takes."
The comment has left many fans stunned and outraged, with some accusing Brady of encouraging animal abuse. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) weighed in on the controversy, stating that while they didn't accuse Brady of promoting violence against animals, they did urge him to be more mindful of his language.
"PETA encourages Brady to remember that millions of people listen to him, and the language we use can either encourage kindness or violence towards animals," read the group's statement. "We should never normalize taking our frustration out on a beloved companion."
However, it seems not everyone was as understanding as PETA. Critics took to social media to express their outrage, with one user blasting Brady on X, saying, "Tom Brady just promoted animal abuse on national television." Another critic questioned what they'd heard, asking, "Did Tom Brady just casually admit to animal abuse?" while another chimed in, "Excuse me, Tom Brady? Did he just advocate for animal abuse?"
Fox Sports spokespeople have yet to respond to The Scholarly Note's request for comment.
But it seems Brady's been here before. In 2016, the former New England Patriots quarterback and his then-wife Gisele Bundchen adopted a dog named Fluffy, which they rescued from a shelter. The couple also had an older dog named Lua, who sadly passed away in 2023. Brady took to Instagram at the time of Lua's passing, sharing a heart-wrenching tribute to his beloved pet.
"We love you Lua," he wrote, before adding in a separate post, "Forever in our hearts." The posts showed Brady and his children cuddling with Lua, leaving many fans wondering if Brady was simply making a careless comment or if there's more to the story.
As for the controversy surrounding Brady's dual roles as Fox Sports analyst and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner, it seems that critics are now piling on. Ex-Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce recently spoke out about the situation, claiming that Brady has been using his access to gain an unfair advantage for the team.
"Tom Brady is the elite of the elite, one of the greatest quarterbacks, one of the greatest players in the game," Pierce told Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio. "It's not hard for him to watch a few things on a Friday practice or hear things in a production meeting and be like, 'Hmm,' and have tidbits. And you'd be foolish enough to think that he's not gonna share that with the Raiders because we had those conversations about certain things."
Pierce admitted that he wouldn't feel comfortable being on the other side of the dilemma, saying, "I would be nervous. I think I would be tight-lipped, which I think most head coaches are when they go into production meetings." However, he did acknowledge that limiting access to sensitive information might be a good idea.
As for Brady's response to these allegations, it remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the NFL legend has been left with a whole lot of explaining to do.