Tom Brady risks NFL backlash after criticism of Brian Branch's sacking

Tom Brady may have put himself in a difficult position on Sunday after he was critical of a decision in the Lions-Packers game.

Due to Brady's status as a minority owner of the Raiders as well as an analyst on Fox for NFL broadcasts, the star quarterback has certain rules he must follow in the locker room.

One is that Brady is not allowed to criticize the referees during a broadcast, and the seven-time Super Bowl champion may have crossed that line when he was on the air Sunday.

Lions defensive lineman Brian Branch was controversially ejected from the game after hitting Packers wide receiver Bo Melton.

The decision came from the review center in New York rather than the officiating team on site in Green Bay, resulting in Brady agreeing with the penalty imposed on Branch but questioning the decision to eject him from the game.

“I don’t love this call at all,” Brady said during the broadcast. “Of course it's a penalty, but for me in a game like this there has to be serious intention behind it.”

Brady quickly went back to analyzing the game and what Branch's exclusion meant for the Lions.

“He does so much for these guys and they have to adjust the rest of the game and lose their best defensive player, who I know they were expecting to have a big day today. “It’s not easy to replace him and Green Bay now has great field position without him having to do too much,” Brady said.

Brady had to walk a fine line in his role this season, ultimately completing the process for his ownership interest in the Raiders.

It remains unclear whether Brady would face any issues as a result of his comments on the call, but it will be the first real test of the restrictions placed on him in the locker room.

Brady recently caused a bit of a stir after calling Bills quarterback Josh Allen a “spaz” while calling the Bills' game against the Seahawks.

During the game itself on Sunday, Branch came into contact with Melton's helmet on an incomplete pass.

Officials called him out for unnecessary rudeness before the NFL office stepped in and ejected Branch from the game, infuriating the defensive star.

Perry Fewell, senior vice president of officiating, said in a postgame pool report that the decision was made in consultation between the on-field officials and the officiating team in New York.

“We considered all aspects and clearly felt that he had time and space to make a different decision as the act was in fact a blatant foul. And he clearly had the ability to avoid the head and neck area,” Fewell said.