Fox NFL commentator Tom Brady faced backlash during Sunday’s Seahawks-Bills game after a comment he made about Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen stirred controversy online. During the broadcast, Brady remarked that Allen sometimes plays “like a spaz, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high.” While the term “spaz” was once commonly used to describe chaotic or uncontrolled behavior, it has since become widely regarded as offensive due to its association with disability-related insults, particularly among those with neurological disorders.
As a result, Brady’s choice of words quickly ignited debate on social media.
Brady’s full commentary acknowledged Allen’s growth as a player, noting how the young quarterback has learned to harness his intense energy: “Sometimes he played like a spaz, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high, but now he’s controlled the chaos. He’s like a storm coming into town, and you don’t want that storm coming into this town.” Despite Brady’s attempt to highlight Allen’s improvement, many viewers found his word choice problematic and took to social media to express their disapproval.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) reacted bluntly, posting, “Brady really just said a player played ‘like a spaz’ Ew.” Another user directly called out the network: “Did Tom Brady just say spaz on this feed? @FOXSports.”
However, the reaction was mixed. As the initial backlash continued, other fans began voicing frustration with what they perceived as over-sensitivity to Brady’s remark. Some argued that the term was being overanalyzed, with one commenter writing, “Lol no way ppl really mad at Tom Brady for saying the word ‘spaz’ grow tf up stop being so soft.”
Others questioned when the term became such a “hate word” to begin with. “When did ‘spaz’ become such a hate word that it can’t be used and it’s redacted from articles? This behavior is more spastic than Tom Brady saying it,” one post read.
Another user humorously commented on the coverage of the controversy, saying, “Just got an Apple News notification about Brady using a ‘shocking slur’ on live TV and the word was spaz lmaooo.”
This reaction highlights the divide in public opinion, where some see the term as an offensive slur, while others view the response as overly sensitive.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about language and intent, showing how modern commentary can quickly become a flashpoint in the age of social media.
As public figures like Brady navigate this evolving landscape, the debate around language use and sensitivity remains as relevant as ever.
