NFL World Reacts to Falcons’ Roughing the Passer on Tom Brady (Video)

The Buccaneers quarterback was at the center of a penalty controversy yet again.

Controversy broke out late in Sunday’s game between the Falcons and the Buccaneers. Similar to instances in the past, it involved Tom Brady and a head-scratching roughing the passer penalty. 

With Tampa Bay leading by six points in the fourth quarter—after being up 21–0 for much of the afternoon—Brady took a snap in shotgun formation and surveyed the field for an open receiver. He was unable to find one, allowing Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to break through the offensive line and have a clean shot at the Bucs quarterback.

Jarrett brought Brady to the ground with ease, rolling him over in what appeared to be a rather tame sack. However, after a brief discussion between head referee Jerome Boger and the rest of his crew, Jarrett was flagged for roughing the passer. 

This play was called roughing the passer...

Did the refs get this one wrong? 🤔

(via @TrainIsland)pic.twitter.com/pCa3OtvDtc

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 9, 2022

The penalty nullified the sack and gave Brady’s Buccaneers a free 15 yards and a fresh first down. Tampa Bay went on to convert two more first downs, allowing Brady to kneel out the clock and escape with a 21–15 win. 

Given Brady’s penchant for attracting controversy when it comes to roughing the passer calls, social media erupted with questions about how and why the play was penalized. Analysts, former players and more took to Twitter to hypothesize about whether or not they had just witnessed one of the worst penalties in recent NFL history.

This cost the Falcons a chance to win the game.

Very consequential call. Not sure what Jarrett is supposed to do here. https://t.co/fjU82uSzmS

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 9, 2022

I've seen a lot of #NFL football in my life, but someone is going to have to explain this roughing the passer call in the @AtlantaFalcons / @Buccaneers game. I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like this pic.twitter.com/YvmekNYxG2

— Scott Pioli (@scottpioli51) October 9, 2022

The roughing call they just gave to Brady might be the most embarrassingly bad NFL call in five years. And there is zero chance they call it for any other quarterback. #Falcons

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) October 9, 2022

I feel like every week I say, that’s the worst RTP call I’ve seen, but this one really might be it. Brutal. https://t.co/xA9MFbNSMm

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2022

This may be the WORST roughing the passer penalty I’ve ever seen. Embarrassingly bad call. The Falcons got screwed.

(🎥: @TrainIsland)pic.twitter.com/KdvC0mi2KJ

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 9, 2022

Roughing the passer! Don’t dare touch Tommy! We don’t allow touching poor old Tommy…the NFL should be embarrassed to have that $@?@!$

— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) October 9, 2022

The roughing the passer on Brady was the worst call I have seen in a long time. Falcons got robbed

— Booger (@ESPNBooger) October 9, 2022

What a horrendous roughing the passer call against Atlanta. Awful awful awful.

— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) October 9, 2022

Tom Brady roughing the passer call is the worst of the season

— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) October 9, 2022

The Falcons got ROBBED. Hitting the QB hard does not equal Roughing the Passer even if it’s Tom Brady.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 9, 2022

That’s a bulljive call against Jarrett. That was not roughing the passer on Brady. pic.twitter.com/LAL5JBKzIc

— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) October 9, 2022

HOW IS THAT ROUGHING THE PASSER??????? Jerome Boger strikes again

— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 9, 2022

Love Brady. He should be the only player that can be tackled by 2 hand touch until he retires. But since that hasn’t happened yet that roughing the passer call on Jarrett was the most horrible call I’ve seen in a long time. Shameful Pathetic. Cost the falcons a chance to win late

— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) October 9, 2022

When asked his thoughts on the roughing the passer call, Brady responded in part: “I don’t throw the flags,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.

Controversy aside, Tampa Bay came out on top when the final whistle sounded. The Buccaneers improved to 3–2 with the win Sunday, while the Falcons dropped back to 2–3. 

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