CBS/Screencap
Are the refs being extra protective of Tom Brady?
After Sunday’s game, Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan told a few Miami Dolphin beat reporters that a ref told him to “stay off” Tom Brady after a perfectly legal hit.
Raekwon McMillan told me when he hit Brady on Sunday – a perfectly legit hit – the referee told him "Stay off Tom." NFL still protecting those QBs amid several early season injuries to marquee ones
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 18, 2019
#Dolphins LB Raekwon McMillan, who played edge rusher for the first time and got a hit on Tom Brady, said referees "told me to stay off Tom" during Sunday's game. McMillan said refs were advising him so he wouldn't get a roughing the passer penalty.
— Safid Deen 💯💯💯💯 (@Safid_Deen) September 18, 2019
This appears to be the hit in question. As you can see in the video McMillan was able to get a clean lick on Tom Brady as Brady was throwing the ball.
https://twitter.com/NotScTop10plays/status/1174477323921477632
Of course, the Internet conspiracy theorists came out of the woodwork to claim that the league is trying to protect the golden boy Tom Brady.
This is why all players don’t hit him. He’s the leagues golden boy man. I have another word for it:
Cheaters
— Rob W. (@Godspeed121212) September 18, 2019
This was called roughing the passer with the Chiefs up 21-17 with 7 minutes to go. Would have been a 3rd and 7, instead 15 yards and a first down. Not the first time the refs have bailed out Brady/the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/VK245aQPfP
— Giovanni Viveros (@gioslice1995) September 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/MarkHelotie/status/1174387685730992129
https://twitter.com/JCESQ82/status/1174391005401010176
The Patriots didn’t need any ref interference to beat the Dolphins, but they still didn’t take any chances. This league is such a joke.
— RunninCM (@RunninCM) September 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/RichNilsenPhd/status/1174390091940323328
https://twitter.com/AquaNOrgbleeder/status/1174412719614808067