Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Tom Brady draws criticism for his ‘kick the dog’ remark

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 12:29 PM ET

Tom Brady made a bizarre comment about kicking dogs on Sunday that did not sit well with some people.

Brady was reacting to video of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens slamming his helmet in frustration during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. The FOX analyst bizarrely compared Pickens’ helmet slam to kicking a dog in frustration.

“It’s like the dog at home. Kick the dog, throw the helmet,” Brady said.

“Kick the dog, throw the helmet, whatever it takes”

Is Tom Brady abusing dogs in his home?? pic.twitter.com/OZGYlvmEcb
— Mike Bradley (@RealMikeBradley) September 21, 2025

Many on social media questioned Brady’s phrasing, as if he was suggesting that kicking a dog was an acceptable way to work out frustration. Some openly criticized the comment.

Tom Brady comparing a player slamming his helmet in anger to kicking your dog at home isn't the color commentary I was expecting. #bearsvscowboys
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) September 21, 2025

Tom Brady just promoted animal abuse on national television…
“Kick the dog, whatever you gotta do at home”
— t (@NoTexture) September 21, 2025

Tom Brady as George Pickens is smashing his helmet: “Those helmets can be…like the dog at home…” Tom what?!
— Radicalized Michael (@michaelpelech10) September 21, 2025

This seemed like an awkward and ill-advised attempt at a joke by Brady, but plenty of people did not see it that way. Even announcer Kevin Burkhardt seemed rather shocked that Brady made the comment. The pair did not address it any further during the broadcast.

Brady can certainly be brutally honest on the air, and sometimes that is actually a good thing. In this case, however, he might have been better off avoiding a joke like this.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: