NFL seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady called WWE "cute," and champions from the company did not take it lightly, calling for the lead FOX analyst to try his hand in the ring
23:06 ET, 19 Feb 2026
Tom Brady calls an NFL game on FOX
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WWE champions have responded after NFL legend Tom Brady called the wrestling industry's athleticism 'cute'(Image: NFL on FOX)
When NFL icon and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady called WWE “cute” during an appearance on Impaulsive with Logan Paul, it sounded like a harmless jab designed in the sports entertainment vein to promote The Fanatics Flag Football Classic. But the comments got back to the WWE locker room, and a major talent fired back as the lead FOX analyst.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion is widely considered the greatest NFL player of all time and suggested that while WWE is entertaining, it does not compare to the "real competition" of football. Brady's comment quickly spread through the wrestling world, and the responses were anything but "cute."
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Drew McIntyre brushed it off with a measured edge, saying the remark "comes from a place of ignorance." CM Punk leaned into the sarcasm and said, "What’s wrong with cute? I'm cute, Tom."
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Brady's crossover callout happened just one week after WWE's Bella Twins slid into Sophie Cunningham’s DMs and challenged her and Caitlin Clark to a WrestleMania match.
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But it was 6-foot-6, 300-pound Oba Femi who delivered the sharpest jab and an open invitation for Brady to jump in the ring. "For those who think it’s cute and fluffy and sweet, you can lace up some boots and then let’s watch you puke," he said.
WWE's current roster is stacked with legitimate athletic pedigrees. Femi is a three-time SEC shot put champion from the University of Alabama; Punk fought in the UFC; and McIntyre nearly pursued a professional soccer career with Rangers FC before turning to wrestling.
The crossover list of WWE stars stretches from Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle to UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Lesnar, who won heavyweight titles in both WWE and the UFC, once summed up the topic and said, "There are still human beings in the ring, flying around and risking their lives. If you can’t see that, you’re very ignorant."
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Paul himself evolved from a green guest attraction part-timer to a seasoned full-time United States champion before settling into his current role with the Vision, backed by Paul Heyman.
Even Heyman commented on Brady's review of today's WWE programming, diminishing the NFL star's legacy in the same way Brady seemingly diminished WWE's. He also mentioned that Bill Belichick, the UNC football coach and former New England Patriots coach, was primarily responsible for the Patriots' Dynasty from 2000 to 2019.
"What's Tom Brady done? He's thrown a football across a field that was caught by (Rob) Gronkowski," said Heyman. "Gronkowski deserves the credit. Belichick and his girlfriend deserve the credit. But Tom Brady? Eh, eh."
WWE superstar Oba Femi in action against Wes Lee during NXT Heatwave
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WWE superstar Oba Femi would like to see Brady try setting foot in the ring
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Super Bowl LX halftime performer Bad Bunny earned universal praise for enduring punishing bumps after stepping into the ring at WWE Backlash in 2023 for a San Juan Street Fight in Puerto Rico. The Latin artist said in his opinion that WWE is bigger than the NFL.
Pat McAfee transitioned from the NFL to deliver memorable moments beyond his commentary, including his Royal Rumble debut. The WWE commentator called in-ring work "mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting," leading him to take a break last summer.
Brady is a sixth-round draft pick who built his brand on being underestimated after one of the least athletic displays in NFL Combine history. His 5.28-second 40-yard dash and a 24.5-inch vertical jump never told the story of Brady's decorated NFL resume.