Julian Edelman defends Tom Brady’s controversial hit on Ed Reed by comparing it to Trevor Lawrence’s brutal injury

Tom Brady is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, not only for his record-breaking career but also for his sportsmanship. However, even the GOAT isn’t immune to controversy. One such moment that still sparks debate more than a decade later is his infamous slide during the 2013 AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens. While attempting to avoid a hit from legendary safety Ed Reed, Brady raised his cleat, leading to a $10,000 fine for what the league deemed a dangerous play.

Julian Edelman insists Brady was just protecting himself

While many critics have argued that Tom Brady’s slide was a dirty play, former teammate Julian Edelman has come to his defense, insisting that the quarterback was simply protecting himself from potential injury. Speaking on the Games with Names podcast, Edelman argued that Brady’s action was a necessary precaution, drawing a parallel to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s recent injury.

“Dude, he was protecting himself,” Edelman stated. “You see what happened to Trevor Lawrence this year? Trevor Lawrence—he goes down like this [mimics Lawrence’s fall without his cleats up]. Meanwhile, Tom—[raises his legs to show the slide that kept him safe].”


Edelman’s comparison highlights the risk that quarterbacks face when they go down without sufficient protection. The brutal hit on Lawrence by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair left the young QB unconscious and ended his season. Al-Shaair was later suspended for three games without pay, reinforcing the severity of the incident.

Tom Brady’s hit: A dirty play or self-defense?

The debate over Brady’s slide continues to divide opinions. Critics argue that raising his cleat was an unnecessary move that could have seriously injured Reed. However, Edelman and other Brady supporters believe it was simply an instinctive reaction to avoid a dangerous hit. Given that Reed was one of the hardest-hitting safeties in NFL history, it’s not surprising that Brady would take extra precautions.

Though the Patriots lost that AFC Championship game, Brady’s decision to protect himself may have prevented a serious injury that could have sidelined him for the remainder of the postseason and beyond. With Lawrence’s recent injury serving as a fresh example of how dangerous these situations can be, Edelman’s defense of Brady seems more relevant than ever.

Also Read: Tom Brady prioritizes family time with a snowy getaway while Gisele Bündchen embraces a new chapter

As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear—when it comes to player safety, quarterbacks have to make split-second decisions, and sometimes, those choices come with controversy.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.