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Tom Brady Goes From Rejecting ‘Dirty Player’ Label To Sparking An On-Air Controversy About Landon Dickerson

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Tom Brady on air controversy
Tom Brady (Image Credits: Imagn)

Table of contents

From his days as an elite quarterback to becoming a high-profile broadcaster, Tom Brady has come a long way. But recently, the seven-time Super Bowl champion found himself at the center of two very different kinds of controversies. First, he publicly rejected the label “dirty player” when discussing an incident involving Azeez Al‑Shaair. Then, during a broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys game, Brady made a slip-up by mispronouncing the name of Eagles lineman Landon Dickerson — uttering a word that sounded like a racial slur.

Tom Brady’s stance against the “dirty player” label

When Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended for a hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Brady voiced his disapproval of that label, saying:

“Everyone will label a certain player as a ‘dirty player’… I don’t like that one bit.” Brady argued that the focus should be on both sides’ offense and defense rather than just punishing defensive players. He made it clear that he believed quarterbacks must also “take better care of themselves,” especially running QBs.

Eagles vs Cowboys: Tom Brady’s live broadcast mistake involving Landon Dickerson

During the final moments of the Eagles vs Cowboys game, Brady, now working as a lead analyst for FOX Sports, said:

“Odighizuwa just blasted through Nicker… excuse me, Landon Dickerson right there.”

That slip, caught on live TV, immediately sparked social-media debate: did he start saying a slur? Some viewers believed the word was the N-word. Brady quickly corrected himself, but the moment raised questions about broadcast discipline and sensitivity.

Conclusion

From boldly rejecting the “dirty player” label to awkwardly stumbling through a broadcast, Tom Brady’s journey this season has highlighted the dual burdens of his legacy: athlete-turned-media figure. His intent in both situations differed, first upholding fairness, then dealing with a slip of the tongue, but both underscore the same truth: in today’s game, words matter as much as plays.

FAQs related to Tom Brady on-air controversy (People Also Ask)

Q1: Did Tom Brady ever label someone a “dirty player”?
A: No. He explicitly rejected the “dirty player” label when discussing Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit on Trevor Lawrence, saying he didn’t like that designation.

Q2: What exactly did Brady say in the live gaffe?
A: He said: “Odighizuwa just blasted through Nicker… excuse me, Landon Dickerson right there.” The word “Nicker” sounded like a racial slur, leading to controversy.

Q3: Has FOX or Brady issued a statement about the mistake?
A: As of now, no formal public apology or explanation has been widely reported. The incident remains under public and media scrutiny.

Q4: How did Brady defend himself in the first incident?
A: In the discussion about Al-Shaair, Brady remarked that quarterbacks need to protect themselves, too, and that defensive players should not be solely blamed.

Q5: What does this mean for Brady’s broadcasting career?
A: The incident underscores how pundits transitioning from playing careers must adapt to the heightened precision and sensitivity demands of live commentary. Reputational recovery may depend on how Brady and FOX respond.

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