Tom Brady sparked buzz on Thanksgiving after a blunt on-air moment with young fans during FOX’s pregame show, leaving viewers stunned and social media lighting up
14:36 ET, 27 Nov 2025Updated 14:36 ET, 27 Nov 2025
Tom Brady threw a pass to a young fan pregame
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Tom Brady threw a pass to a young fan pregame(Image: FOX)
Tom Brady has never been shy about his competitive streak, but his latest on-air moment showed just how easily it extends beyond the NFL field, even to the youngest fans.
Before the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, with the Lions always playing on the national holiday for a 91-year tradition, Brady delivered a remark that quickly became one of the day’s most replayed clips, leaving FOX NFL Sunday colleagues stunned and viewers erupting online.
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The pregame broadcast outside Ford Field featured two young Lions fans invited onto the FOX set for a special moment: catching a pass from Brady. The network had run a similar segment earlier this season, including one outside Arrowhead Stadium ahead of Chiefs-Eagles in Week 2.
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During that earlier appearance, one child let a Brady spiral bounce off his hands, and FOX rolled the replay back on Thanksgiving as part of a lighthearted montage.
That’s when Brady, watching the clip with the rest of the panel, delivered a blunt review that instantly ignited social media. “Sorry not sorry, catch the damn ball,” he said as the broadcast crew reacted around him.
The comment drew immediate shock and laughter across the FOX desk and just as quickly spread online, where fans clipped and shared the moment within minutes. Some viewers dubbed it “peak Brady,” while others marveled at how effortlessly his competitive instincts kicked in.
Fortunately for the two young Lions fans chosen for Thursday’s toss, neither repeated the mistake. Both pulled in their catches cleanly, sparing them any on-air critique from the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
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This year’s broadcast marked Brady’s second Thanksgiving as part of FOX’s NFL coverage. His debut holiday assignment last season produced an entirely different type of headline, one involving Turducken and a near-walkout from the booth.
During Cowboys-Giants in 2024, producers brought the traditional turkey-duck-chicken dish into the booth, catching Brady off guard during a blowout. After taking a bite, he joked he was ready to abandon the broadcast entirely, laughing as he said he was “bailing” to go get a full plate.
The moment became one of the most memorable clips from his rookie season behind the microphone, a year marked by scrutiny as he adjusted to life as FOX’s lead analyst.
Brady joined the broadcast booth for his first game in the fall of 2024
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Brady joined the broadcast booth for his first game in the fall of 2024(Image: Getty)
Brady later acknowledged that his early broadcasts required fine-tuning, and colleagues noted the growing pains as he settled into the role.
By his second season, though, the tone shifted. Access restrictions related to his Las Vegas Raiders ownership stake were eased, giving him more room to prepare.
FOX teammates and producers pointed to his improved rhythm and confidence, while Erin Andrews said the difference was “night and day.”
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Brady’s blunt one-liner on Thanksgiving served as another reminder: even in the booth, he carries the same intensity that defined his playing career, and he’s not afraid to unleash it, even when the pass-catcher is a kid.