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Tom Brady act at centre of ugly NFL brawl between Bucs and Saints

Tom Brady, pictured here being caught in the chaotic brawl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Tom Brady was caught in the chaotic brawl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. Image: NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has been accused of hitting New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore with a ‘cheap shot’ during a bench-clearing brawl that saw both players ejected on Monday morning (AEDT).

The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the NFL clash between the Bucs and Saints at the Caesars Superdome, after Tom Brady complained to the officials about a missed pass interference call.

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Lattimore took exception to Brady’s complaint, gesturing aggressively towards him as the pair exchanged words.

Tampa Bay running back Leonard Fournette made his way over to confront Lattimore, before Evans ran over from the Bucs’ sideline and blind-sided Lattimore with an aggressive hit.

Saints safety Marcus Maye retaliated by dragging Evans to the ground with him. Flags were thrown as the referees struggled to contain the situation, with players from both benches becoming involved in the fracas.

While officials determined both Lattimore and Evans were equally culpable for escalating the incident, it was Evans who received the most criticism from fans and pundits online for his actions.

Mike Evans, pictured here tangling with Marcus Maye during the melee.
Mike Evans tangles with Marcus Maye during the melee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Chris Graythen via Getty Images)

Speaking on the incident after the game, Evans told ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington that Lattimore had become ‘too emotional’ during the contest.

“Super competitive. Today, he was just too emotional,” Evans said.

“You don’t throw punches at guys on the field. He threw a punch at Lenny, and I can’t let that happen to my teammates. So I shoved him… turned into a brawl.”

Evans and Lattimore have history in the NFL

Evans and Lattimore have a history of bad blood, with the pair first getting into it in 2017, when Evans once again came rushing onto the field to shove Lattimore when he was not looking.

Evans received a one-game suspension for the act.

In 2020, Lattimore returned serve by pushing Evans in the back during a game, with Evans retaliating by knocking Lattimore’s helmet off. Lattimore was fined $10,500 for unnecessary roughness.

Tensions were high throughout the contest between the fierce divisional rivals.

The Bucs eventually secured a a 20-10 victory, but not before Brady became so frustrated with his team’s play that he smashed his tablet on the sideline.

It is the second time is as many seasons that Brady has broken such a device on the sidelines after losing his temper.

The victory improved Tampa Bay’s record to 2-0 on the season, while the Saints are now 1-1.

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