Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady recently disclosed that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) contacted him following two instances of profane language during a Fox Sports broadcast. The remarks occurred while Brady was serving as a color commentator for the Dallas Cowboys' 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders on September 20. Brady’s revelation, made on social media, has drawn renewed attention to broadcast indecency rules and their application to live sports programming.
"I’m actually kind of embarrassed. There’s a lot of grandmas at home that probably aren’t very happy with my mouth on Fox. I’m going to fix that. Sorry, I apologize." Tom Brady, Fox Sports Commentator
The first incident transpired late in the first half after Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow. A replay of the injury was shown, prompting Brady to react immediately with, "Oh, sh**." He quickly added, "Excuse me. I was not expecting to see that." Later in the game, after Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed a 35-yard pass to CeeDee Lamb, Brady described the throw as an "absolute piss missile up the sideline." Both comments quickly garnered attention online and among media observers.
Brady is currently in his third season as a Fox color commentator, working alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. His transition from an illustrious two-decade NFL career to the broadcast booth has placed his commentary under public scrutiny, and these recent comments highlight the distinct standards of live television compared to the football field.
Journalism professor Michael Socolow commented on the first expletive, suggesting that its use on a live television broadcast could potentially violate FCC indecency rules. Federal regulations impose restrictions on the broadcast of obscene, indecent, and profane material between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., a period when children are more likely to be watching television. However, questions persist regarding how these federal rules apply to isolated and unscripted profanity that occurs during live programming, particularly in the fast-paced environment of sports.
The legal and regulatory landscape surrounding so-called "fleeting expletives" has been complex and has produced varying outcomes over the years. Historically, the FCC has faced challenges in consistently enforcing penalties for brief, unintentional profanity. Potential FCC penalties can be substantial, with maximum forfeitures reportedly reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per violation or per day. These penalties are typically directed at the station licensee, in this case, Fox, rather than the individual broadcaster who uttered the words.
Brady later addressed his language during a Fox #AskTom segment. He offered an explanation for "piss missile," clarifying it as football terminology for a pass thrown with extreme velocity and precision. He broke down the mechanics behind such a throw, referencing ground-force production, body torque, and keeping the throwing arm relaxed. Brady also acknowledged that his language might not have been well-received by all viewers. "I fully expect you to beep out those ‘piss missiles,’ okay?" he joked. He then referenced a swear jar at home, noting his children were increasingly pleased with his contributions. "I’m actually kind of embarrassed," Brady admitted. "There’s a lot of grandmas at home that probably aren’t very happy with my mouth on Fox. I’m going to fix that. Sorry, I apologize."
The story developed further when Brady revealed on social media that the FCC had contacted him. "More miss pissles and a few turkey provolones no doubt coming up this year," he wrote, adding, "yes, I meant miss pissles, I got a call from the FCC," accompanied by laughing emojis. Brady did not provide additional details about the nature of the call or indicate whether it signaled the initiation of a formal investigation. As of the current reporting, the FCC has not publicly confirmed opening an enforcement action against Fox or Brady. It is important to note that an agency call does not automatically signify an impending fine or formal legal proceeding.
Brady’s comments and the subsequent FCC contact underscore the ongoing challenges faced by broadcasters covering live events. Unexpected injuries, spontaneous celebrations, and controversial plays can elicit unscripted reactions from announcers, leaving little to no time for networks to censor them before they reach the airwaves. For Brady, these incidents serve as a public reminder that the standards governing an NFL broadcast booth are distinct from those on the field, where passionate outbursts are often more tolerated. While he successfully navigated defenses for decades, it appears his vocabulary has now drawn the attention of federal regulators.
