Dolphins linebacker says referee told him not to touch Tom Brady
Sep 15, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. (Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Moments after hitting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMilllan was given crystal clear instructions from the referees when it comes doing exactly that on the league’s only six-time Super Bowl champion: don’t.
“Tom didn’t say anything but the referee said, ‘Stay off Tom,'” McMillan told the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. “I put my hands up in the air and said ‘I got you.’”
According to Jackson, the hit McMillan delivered to Brady was completely clean, and just a regular football play. That didn’t stop McMillan from getting a warning of sorts. And given the league’s increased protection of quarterbacks, and given Brady’s status among quarterbacks around the league, I can only imagine it went a little something like George Sr’s time in prison.
Ironically enough, that warning didn’t prevent Brady from landing on New England’s injury report, as Brady was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice due to a reported calf injury.
McMilllan, who finished Sunday’s loss with one tackle and three assists, didn’t appear to have an issue with the advice. In fact, he told Jackson that he’d love to get a picture of his hit on Brady to hang on his wall.
“I’m still looking for pictures from the hit so I can hang it up and show my kids some day,” said McMillan.
Assuming good health for both, McMillan will get another chance to be told not to hit the 42-year-old Brady when the Dolphins come to Gillette Stadium for a regular-season finale on Dec. 29.
