The refs aren’t calling a flag on Tom Brady‘s latest play.
After the retired New England Patriots quarterback raised eyebrows by stepping into the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching booth during the team’s Sept. 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the NFL set the record straight on whether he violated a rule by going into the box.
And according to the football organization, Brady—who is a minority owner of the Raiders and a sports broadcaster for Fox—didn’t break any codes of conduct with the move.
“There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches’ booth or wearing a headset during a game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to ESPN Sept. 16. “Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner.”
And the league emphasized that Brady was completely within his rights to be wearing a headset in the coaching area. As the spokesperson put it, “All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than league-issued equipment such as a Microsoft Surface Tablet for the Sideline Viewing System.”
As for what would get Brady in trouble? The NFL explained that the former football player could be penalized for “going to a team facility for practices or production meetings.”
“He may attend production meetings remotely but may not attend in person at the team facility or hotel,” the spokesperson’s statement continued. “He may also conduct an interview off site with a player like he did last year a couple times, including for the Super Bowl.”
The NFL added, “Of course, as with any production meeting with broadcast teams, it’s up to the club, coach or players to determine what they say in those sessions.”
Since retiring from playing football in 2023, Brady isn’t just making waves off the field. In fact, earlier this month, the 48-year-old announced he will be throwing the ball once again to play in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a brand-new global flag football event which will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in March 2026.
“It’s like riding a bike here,” he joked of his upcoming return to the field in a Sept. 15 Fox Sports interview. “You know I’ve been doing this thing for 30-plus years. It gives me a good chance to go out there and sharpen my skills.”
For more on Brady’s post-retirement life, keep reading.
Sept. 10, 2023
The athlete appears with his kids Jack, Ben and Vivian as he is honored by the New England Patriots at halftime during their home opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
August 2, 2023
The five-time Super Bowl MVP takes a walk on the wild side, posting pics from his safari adventure.
July 23, 2023
Following Brady’s divorce from Gisele Bündchen, the former quarterback was spotted with supermodel Irina Shayk.
July 4, 2023
The Super Bowl MVP joins a host of other A-listers at Michael Rubin‘s annual Hamptons white party.
June 11, 2023
Brady got VIP seating next to Novak Djokovic‘s wife as he watched the tennis champ compete at the French Open in Paris.
June 5, 2023
The former New England Patriots QB spent a day at Disneyland with his kids Benjamin and Vivian.
May 22, 2023
Perhaps missing the spotlight, Brady appeared on the “Hertz Let’s Go Show”, a fictional daytime talk show which was part of a series of digital ads.
Apr. 22, 2023
The seven-time Super Bowl champion visits UCLA to cheer on his niece Maya during her softball game.
Apr. 20, 2023
Brady speaks about his entrepreneurial experiences at the eMerge Americas conference in Miami.
Mar. 28, 2023
The retired football star enjoyed a beach day with his kids and some of his former teammates.
Mar. 23, 2023
Brady jumped back into the world of sports by acquiring an ownership interest in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
Feb. 20, 2023
While on a ski vacation with his kids, the athlete posted a photo of himself and his son Jack twinning in all-black.
Feb. 6, 2023
Just a few days later, Brady kicked off his retirement with an underwear thirst trap.
Feb. 1, 2023
Quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL by posting an emotional video on social media.
