Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady is in a unique position in the NFL as a legend in the sport, a member of the media, and now a current part-owner of an NFL franchise. He has seen the game from many different perspectives and can offer unique insight.
Recently, he used his unique perspective to criticize the league for one policy he “hates” that he says is unlike any other job in the world.
NFL Fines Players
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement has a system in place that allows players to be fined for on-field infractions.
The NFL fines players through a discipline system built into the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA. League officials review film of every game and flag infractions like unnecessary roughness, taunting, and uniform violations. Fines follow a set schedule with specific dollar amounts that escalate for repeat offenders, and a player doesn’t need to be flagged in-game to be fined retroactively.
Players can appeal, and fines are often reduced or overturned by appeals officers jointly appointed by the league and union.
It’s worth noting that the money from these fines doesn’t go to the NFL. It’s funneled through the NFL Foundation to programs supporting former players.
‘I Hate That’
During a recent podcast appearance, Brady spoke out against this system, making it clear that he is not a fan of taking players’ money away for on-field infractions.
“What they start doing is they start fining you $50,000, $75,000,” Brady said on the Stick To Football podcast. “And I’m saying, like, I hate that. I hate the fact that, like, you sign a contract for $2 million a year, $5 million a year, and it’s so easy for someone to say, ‘Give me $75,000. Give me $50,000. Oh, it’s your second offense? That’s $100,000. That’s your third offense, $200,000.’”
Brady pointed out that this system is unlike any other job in the world.
“What job is like that in the world? Where you make a mistake at your job, and they come in, they go, ‘Hey, we’re gonna take your salary away.’ And then people are like, ‘Yeah, you should take his salary away,’” Brady said.
Clearly, Brady is not a fan of a system where a player can instantly lose such massive sums of money.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.