This past Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons in a tight game. However, one particular incident caught the attention of many fans and experts when Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett sacked Bucs quarterback Tom Brady into the ground. The referee called a roughing penalty against the Falcons, which eventually helped the Bucs to get the win over the Dirty Birds.

Meanwhile, many experts, including Stephen A. Smith, blasted the referee for that ‘awful’ call. He also slammed Brady for looking for that call.

Stephen A. Smith blasted the referee and Tom Brady

During the ‘First Take show’, Smith said, “I’m appalled by what I saw for several reasons. No.1, what else is a defender supposed to do, he didn’t leave with his helmet… he didn’t hit him too low… put his shoulders on him, grabbed him around the waist, swung him around and flung him to the ground.“

“I find this to be one of the most egregious calls I’ve ever seen on a National Football League field. It was disgusting… It’s almost to the point, where they should line up on Park Avenue and protest outside of the NFL office,” Smith further said. 

Then, the famous sports journalist blasted TB12, as he was looking at the referee for a call. “I’m pretty damn ashamed of Tom Brady too. Because Tom Brady looked at the referee and was looking for that call… I know win it at all costs, but damn, talk about taking the competitive fervour out of the mix… But you’re looking for the referee for, you Tom Brady you are a seven-time champion. You know what kind of things that you have been doing throughout these years in the league,” Smith said about Brady.

Comparing this incident with the Tua Tagovailoa, Smith said, “If you look at Tua being swung, compared to that play, it ain’t even in the same stratosphere.”

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Referee Jerome Boger later explained his decision as he thought it was an unnecessary play from the defender; hence, he awarded the penalty to the Bucs. Many criticized the referee for that soft call and even want the NFL to fire him. Smith also angrily talked about firing the referee.

NFL enacted a new concussion protocol this Sunday

While many former players and experts are blasting the referee for making that call, many also blamed the NFL for changing the concussion protocol once again. It is worth noting that the Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, suffered a concussion twice in a week, which forced the NFL to change the rule once again, to protect the quarterbacks.

Meanwhile, Tom Brady practically made no comments regarding that call, as he was happy to get the win against the Falcons. The Bucs are currently at the top of the NFC South table with 3 wins and 2 losses.

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