“Those Calls Are Questionable..”: Days After Tom Brady Got Brutally Tackled to the Ground, Shaquille O’Neal Gives a “Soft” Reality Check to NFL and NBA Fans

The NFL has fined Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ superstar Tom Brady for kicking Grady Jarrett during their game against the Atlanta Falcons recently. The news of Brady getting fined has been shocking for many. Falcons DT Grady Jarrett drew a reaction from Brady as he stepped over him during a play. Brady, however, seemingly attempted to kick Grady but didn’t strike. But that was enough for the NFL to fine the seven-time Super Bowl champion. Meanwhile, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently expressed his thoughts on the incident and gave a reality check to both NFL and NBA fans.

The NFL fined Tom Brady  $11,139 for attempting to kick Grady Jarrett. While the amount is likely nothing for the $250 million worth Brady, he undoubtedly wouldn’t be happy with the punishment. The play involving Brady and Jarret has been the talking point in the NFL since Week 5. Notably, this was Brady’s first NFL rule violation in nine years.

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Shaquille O’Neal knows a thing or two about heated situations like these. Shaq was always a dominant player during his playing career on the court. He recently weighed in on the Tom Brady-Grady Jarrett incident and admitted that the game is getting “softer”.

Shaquille O’Neal feels the NBA and the NFL are getting softer

NBA legend Shaq spoke on this in an episode of his podcast, ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’ alongside co-hosts Nischelle Turner and Spice Adams. During the podcast, Turner and Adams discussed the Brady-Jarrett incident. Shaq stepped in on the conversation and said that the referees have “a lot of pressure” and believes that the game is getting “softer” in the NBA and NFL.

Here’s what Shaq had to say about the incident: “There’s a lot of pressure on the NFL. That’s a lot of pressure on these referees. Those calls are very questionable. But, you know, because of all the stuff that’s going on, the game is getting soft. The NBA game has got softened. A hard foul is a flagrant foul. I remember when the flagrant foul was damn that trying to hurt somebody. But now you know because people complaining and this and that. There’s a lot of pressure on these referees’ calls.”

Shaq continued: “I look at some retired players. They got broken fingers and you know the fingers mess up. A lot of football players walk around you know this and that but they wouldn’t change it for the world. So, hopefully, they don’t make this game softer.” 

The former Los Angeles Lakers star was one of the most dominant players of his time in the NBA. He has always been known as someone who speaks his mind. He has previously called out the NBA, for getting softer and more sensitive on several occasions. So, his recent comments likely don’t come as a surprise to many NBA fans.

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What do you think about Shaq’s comments on the NBA and the NFL? Do you agree with him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.