Tom Brady sparks outrage with offensive term on Fox broadcastTom Brady sparks outrage with offensive term on Fox broadcast

Tom Brady raised some eyebrows with his commentary while calling the Bills-Seahawks game on Fox Sports on Sunday.

Brady — who’s in the first season of his 10-year, $375 million contract with the network — was discussing the growth of Bills quarterback Josh Allen, when he said the two-time Pro Bowler previously played like a “spaz” before he became more controlled under center.

“Sometimes he played like a spaz, like a grade-schooler on a sugar high,” Brady said on the broadcast towards the end of the first quarter while Buffalo had a 7-0 lead over Seattle. “But now he’s controlled the chaos. He’s like a storm coming into town and you don’t want that storm coming into this town.”

The term spaz is a shortened form of the word spastic, which means clumsy, stupid, or losing physical or emotional control.

It is used in some circumstances to describe medical conditions.

Tom Brady is seen on the field prior to a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
Tom Brady is seen on the field prior to a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.Getty Images
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) stands on the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Seattle. The Bills won 31-10.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) stands on the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Seattle.AP

It is offensive to some as it is considered to be an ableist slur used for jokes and metaphors to dehumanize those with disabilities.

Brady was the subject of scrutiny online as some were upset about his choice of words.

“The ‘spaz’ comment was uncalled for,” someone wrote on X.

Another said it was “highly offensive to people who have physical disabilities as well as their loved ones.”

Tom Brady (L) talks with Drew Bledsoe (R) on the field prior to a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
Tom Brady (L) talks with Drew Bledsoe (R) on the field before a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.Getty Images

One person said it was “sickening vocabulary.”

Others defended Brady and explained the seven-time Super Bowl champ meant no harm.

By the time the game ended, the Bills improved to 6-2 after a 31-10 win over the Seahawks at Lumen Field.

Brady, who has yet to address the matter, isn’t the one who’s used the term in a work setting.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field on Oct. 27, 2024.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field on Oct. 27, 2024.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Some famous singers have faced backlash for putting “spaz” in their lyrics, including Lizzo.

In 2022, the four-time Grammy-winner removed the word spaz from her song, “Grrrls” after being called out by disability advocate and writer Hannah Diviney.

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