NFL makes decision on Tom Brady after former QB questioned Brian Branch's ejection vs Packers

The NFL has announced that Tom Brady won't be punished after he questioned Brian Branch's ejection during the Lions' game against the Packers on Sunday. Brady is not allowed to criticize refs on his broadcasts given he's a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite the restriction, he did question a call made by an official during the Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers game. Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit, which Brady wasn't a fan of.

"I don't love that call at all. I mean, obviously, it's a penalty, but, to me, that has to be serious intent in a game like this," Brady said about the ejection during the broadcast, via SI.

After Brady's comments, people took to social to wonder if he was allowed to say that. However, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy explained to the Sports Business Journal why Brady could criticize the officials.

"The concern would be if Tom was egregiously critical of officiating or called into question the integrity of an official or the crew. That did not occur in this instance," he said.

Why can't Tom Brady criticize refs on broadcasts?

Tom Brady is currently a color commentator for FOX. He's in his first season in the job, but he also became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year.

The NFL put rules in place for Brady that limit his access to call games given he is an owner.

According to Front Office Sports, the seven-time Super Bowl champion:

Can’t criticize teams or referees.
Can’t enter team facilities.
Can’t attend practices.
Can’t join pregame production meetings with teams or players—in person or virtually.
Is subject to the league’s gambling and tampering policies.

Not being able to attend production meetings with teams or players and not being able to criticize teams or refs could make his job as a broadcaster challenging.

However, after nine weeks, this was the first time that Brady got close to breaking one of the rules. The legendary former QB will be part of the broadcast crew for the San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday afternoon.