NFL
Instant Replay: Tom Brady Comes Clean On Tuck Rule Game

SALT LAKE CITY – Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady came clean on the controversial play from the Tuck Rule Game in 2001.
On Thursday, May 5, Brady went on social media to address the game-changing non-fumble from the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders.
“Everyone keep this on the down low please,” Brady captioned his post.
Brady’s post started with a clip of Justin Bieber asking for people to “tell me something honest” with his new song “Honest” playing in the background.
The NFL quarterback then appeared on camera, looked over his shoulders, and responded.
“Tuck Rule Game against the Raiders — it might have been a fumble,” Brady said.
@tombrady #stitch with @Justin Bieber ♬ original sound – Tom Brady
The NFL’s Twitter account replied to Brady’s post and said, “He said it, not us.”
He said it, not us. 🤷♂️ https://t.co/sbdZHDtyis
— NFL (@NFL) May 5, 2022
Tuck Rule Game
The 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Patriots and Raiders took place in Foxboro, Massachusetts on January 19, 2002.
The game featured a flurry of snow and has been nicknamed the Snow Bowl.
In the fourth quarter of the contest and Oakland leading New England, Brady was hit by Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson in the backfield and appeared to have fumbled the football. The Raiders recovered the pigskin.
Officials reviewed the play and ruled that Brady was trying to tuck the ball and the call on the field of a fumble was overturned, giving the Patriots possession.
.@Raiders. @Patriots. A 2001 playoff matchup for the ages.
Rewatch the Tuck Rule game tonight at 10pm ET on @CBSSportsNet! pic.twitter.com/lMzLJUrh4d
— NFL (@NFL) April 17, 2020
New England went on to win the game in overtime, 16-13.
A couple of weeks later, the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI, the first of Brady’s seventh Super Bowl championships.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).