NFL reviewing Brady 'kick': Should he be fined?
NFL reviewing Brady leg-up slide into Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says reviewing Tom Brady's slide is "routine."
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady slides in front of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the second quarter in the NFL AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass. The NFL is reviewing whether Brady should be fined for the move.
REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine
The NFL is looking into Tom Brady's leg-up slide that hit Ravens safety Ed Reed in the AFC championship game.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday "any play of that nature is routinely reviewed."
Brady could be subject to a fine if the league believes he violated any player safety rules.
During the final minute of the first half, Brady slid at the end of an impromptu run. The quarterback's upraised leg hit the onrushing Reed, who temporarily limped away. Reed was not injured.
The Bleacher Report notes that the NFL's official rulebook Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6 covers unnecessary roughness penalties, and Article 6(a) reads, "Using the foot or any part of the leg to strike an opponent with a whipping motion."
Ravens safety Bernard Pollard said Monday that Brady should be disciplined by the NFL, which levies fines on defensive players for helmet-to-helmet hits.
"If you want to keep this going in the right direction, everyone should be penalized for their actions," Pollard said, adding Brady "knew what he was doing.
"It has to go both ways. Hopefully the NFL will do something about it. If they don't, that's fine. If they do, then that's fine."
Baltimore beat New England 28-13 for the AFC championship Sunday.