By Annie Ross
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady didn’t take the bait.
Brady was diplomatic when asked to react to Denver Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith describing him as a “crybaby.”
“I love it when the refs throw flags at the defense,” Brady said during his news conference Wednesday. “It advances our team. That is just part of football.”
Brady and the Patriots face the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. As a follow-up question, Brady was asked about his discussions with officials.
“I don’t remember much about them,” Brady said. “I’ve taken a lot of hits over the years.”
Smith told the Colorado Springs Gazette on Monday that it would be “accurate” to call Brady a crybaby, something he’s essentially been accused of before by Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Terrell Suggs and others.
“I’ve never seen any quarterback look to the referee right after he gets sacked more than Brady,” Smith said.
“Every time he gets sacked he looks at the ref like, ‘You see him sack me? Was that supposed to happen? He did it a little hard. Please throw a 15-yard penalty on him. Get him fined.’”
