The Tom Brady Rules apply to his team and his commentary on the team in an effort to prevent him from “publicly criticizing game officials and other clubs,” among other things.

Raiders owner Brady tested the limits of that restriction Sunday after the league office ejected Lions safety Brian Branch for an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver.

“I don’t like that call at all,” Brady said after the penalty turned into a disqualification. “So obviously it’s a penalty. But in my opinion, there must be serious intent in a game like this.”

Fox brought out a bucket and mop later in the broadcast, and rules analyst Dean Blandino explained that intent, serious or otherwise, was not a factor. Of course, this is just Brady: (1) criticizing the outcome; and (2) misrepresentation of the standard.

That’s why we asked the league on Monday whether Brady was on the wrong side of the line in “publicly criticizing game officials.”

Here is the response we received: “There may be concern about Tom seriously criticizing the refereeing or questioning the integrity of an officer or crew member. That did not happen in this case.”

The standard, reported by multiple sources but never put into writing by the league, does not use the word “terrible” or “terrible.” And the word was never used when others who publicly criticized gaming officials were fined.

In 2006, the NFL fined Steelers owner Dan Rooney for publicly criticizing the excessive celebration penalty awarded to Pittsburgh.

“These officers they should be ashamed of themselvessaid Rooney. “On last call, you don’t get that kind of call.”

Is it scary? Regardless, it cost Rooney $25,000.

That same year, the NFL fined former Titans coach Jeff Fisher for saying the following regarding a dispute ruling over a fumble: “We all saw this. Everyone saw it. “I hope they hear me in New York because it was field position and we lost by one point.”

Is it scary? It cost Fisher $12,500.

In 2018, the NFL fined Steelers coach Mike Tomlin for this reason: “We’ve got to get better as a National Football League. Man, these fines are costing people games and costing people jobs. We’ve got to do these things right. And that’s why i got angry about itTo be quite honest with you. But that’s all I have to say on the subject.”

Is it scary? It cost Tomlin $25,000.

Last year, the NFL fined Chiefs coach Andy Reid. A whopping $100,000 On the comments made after the loss to the Bills, which occurred when Kadarius Toney went into an offside position: “I’m very disappointed that it ended like that. Normally I wouldn’t use any of this as an excuse, but normally in a big game I’ll get a warning before something like this happens. (It’s) kind of a shame that this is happening in the National Football League.

Even though Reid was actually wrong about Toney’s fit (like Brady talking about “serious intent”), were the comments terrible?

It is terribly vague. This is subjective. Blurry. It is in the eye of the beholder.

Regardless, it looks like a new addition to the standard in an “exaggerated way”. And it seems special to Brady.

While the NFL has seemingly handcuffed Brady, how aggressively will they pursue their cool new friend? Apparently not much.

In other words, he can also criticize the game officials. Unless it’s serious and suggests someone from the authorities has been compromised.