Tom Brady called the blockbuster matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers for Fox in Week 16. This legendary NFL quarterback is in the first year of his 10-year, $375 million deal with the network and has shown immense improvement in the broadcasting booth over the season.
Brady never hesitated to speak the truth while he was playing, and he has brought that habit to the broadcasting booth as well. While calling the Week 16 game, the former New England Patriots QB made a statement directed toward De’Vondre Campbell, who was recently suspended by the San Francisco 49ers for his behavior.
Tom Brady Took a Subtle Dig at De’Vondre Campbell
The team suspended Campbell after he refused to enter the game against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15. The 31-year-old linebacker was apparently unhappy with his opportunities (or lack thereof) in the game after Dre Greenlaw’s return from injury, and when he was asked to get into the game, he refused and went to the locker room.
Campbell was criticized by fans, Kyle Shanahan, and his teammates for his actions. Brady, who was known for maintaining a standard around the team during his playing days, voiced his opinion on the matter indirectly while praising Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy.
“He [Van Noy] broke his eye socket earlier this season,” Brady said. “He basically played with a broken face, and I see other guys in the league. walking out on their teammates because they don’t want to play. … It’s why he’s a champion.”
Tom Brady takes a shot at De’Vondre Campbell while praising Kyle Van Noy for playing with a fractured orbital bone. pic.twitter.com/CfRW1ss56D
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) December 21, 2024
The 49ers have had a tough season on and off the field, as some of their players have lost family members, star players have suffered significant injuries, and their rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall was shot before the start of the campaign. Despite this, all the players are fighting together to save the season, and Campbell’s behavior was simply unacceptable.
Brady grew up as a 49ers fan and was linked to them before his retirement. Fans on social media liked his indirect shot at Campbell and praised the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
Fans React to Brady’s Comments During Ravens vs. Steelers Game
Some fans even linked Brady’s comments on Diontae Johnson’s situation with the Ravens, who did a similar thing to Campbell. The franchise recently released him, and it might be possible Brady was referring to both Johnson and Campbell while praising Van Noy.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Tom Brady throwing some not-so-subtle shade at Diontae Johnson & De'Vondre Campbell when talking about his former teammate Kyle Van Noy's resilience having played through a fractured orbital bone earlier this year.
Absolutely love it.
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) December 21, 2024
“Tom Brady just took a shot at De’Vondre Campbell,” said one fan.
Another fan added, “Tom Brady taking a shot at De’Vondre Campbell for quitting on the 49ers is the most interesting thing Brady has said in the booth all season.”
Shoutout Tom Brady for cooking De’Vondre Campbell on live TV
— Mezz (@Forty9Problemzz) December 21, 2024
“Tom Brady taking shots at Campbell and Diontae on live TV, and I love it,” wrote a fan.
“Devondre Campbell catching another stray, this time from Tom Brady. Much deserved,” added another fan.
Tom Brady dissing De'Vondre Campbell 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Tony Tony Chopper Jr (14-15) (10-4) (@RJ_BeAsTmOdE_5) December 21, 2024
Players across the league are playing while being hurt to support their teammates in achieving the team’s goals. It’s never a good sign when a healthy player decides to quit on the team, and many believe Campbell will find it tough to convince a team to sign him in the offseason.
Johnson is expected to be claimed by a team soon, and his age is on his side to change the narrative around him. In a couple of days, the 28-year-old wideout will be on his fourth different team in 2024, and he must finish the season well to improve his chances of getting a lucrative deal in free agency.