‘Filthy … Unacceptable’: Tom Brady Fined For Sliding Attempt To Take Down Cowboys Safety

Hank BerrienJanuary 23, 2023

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Hall-of-Fame-bound quarterback Tom Brady was fined $16,444 because he tried to trip Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooper when he slipped into his legs.

#Bucs QB Tom Brady was fined $16,444 due to his excessive roughness in trying to trip #Cowboys S Malik Hooker was arrested Monday night. C Ryan Jensen received a $8,333.33 fine for excessive roughness in relation to the same play.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2023

Hooker had recovered a fumble from Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Goodwin in the third quarter and was heading upfield when Tampa Bay wide receiver Julio Jones tackled him as Brady attempted to take Hooker’s legs out from under him. The Buccaneers ultimately lost the game, 31-14, marking the end of the 45-year-old’s season and possibly the end of his storied career.

Red card and a finepic.twitter.com/AE7MvQVeYb

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 21, 2023

“It’s a dirty play from Brady. Filthy. Unacceptable,” Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk reacted, adding, “Brady has, in the past, used his shoe as a weapon when sliding. A decade ago, he was fined $10,000 for putting a foot in the crotch of Ravens safety Ed Reed. Brady has done similar things since then, without incident.”

At the time of Brady’s slide, the Cowboys led 24-0. Brady was limited to just 11 of 23 passes for 96 yards during the first period. In general, Brady’s slide would be grounds for a penalty.

Brady officially announced his retirement last February 1.

“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady wrote In an Instagram post “There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.”

“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady continued. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”

Brady announced that he would be playing a 23rd year in March, 40 day after he announced his retirement.

“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady tweeted. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.”