Tom Brady gets so much backlash with 'kick the dog' line on air
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I'm going to start off by saying it: Tom Brady probably shouldn't go around saying "kick the dog" on the air or anywhere else in 2025, but he did and here we are. But I don't think he was talking about animal abuse.
No, that's an old phrase to talk about taking your anger out elsewhere -- my AP Psych teacher in high school used it to illustrate what "displacement" meant -- that is antiquated and a little dangerous given that when, say, a leading Fox NFL analyst says it on the air, people immediately worry about how Brady treats his pups.
Here's a summary of the backlash from Sunday's broadcast that left some folks scratching their heads:
Did Tom Brady just admit to beating his dog on national television?
Brady on Pickens slamming his helmet:
“It’s like the dog at home. Kick the dog, throw the helmet.”
Wtf 😭 pic.twitter.com/pqiXL03dix— Play Caller Podcast (@PlayCallerPod) September 21, 2025
Did Tom Brady just say he hits his dog when he’s upset? pic.twitter.com/ZWmL8rqT65— Arthur (@justsayawesome) September 21, 2025
WHAT😭
Tom Brady in response to George Pickens throwing his helmet: “yeah those helmets can be… it’s like the dog at home”
???? pic.twitter.com/RQRNFOBctm— Carson Caldwell (@caldwellcorner_) September 22, 2025
Did Tom Brady suggest he beats his dog when frustrated?— bigr (@bigr_in_SD) September 21, 2025
Oops. It's a turn of phrase, but maybe leave that one at home next time, Tom.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Tom Brady 'kick the dog' line leads to backlash on social media
