Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton, who played in the NFL for 18 seasons, weighs in on Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. USA TODAY Sports
ST. PAUL — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told reporters at Super Bowl Opening Night that he doesn’t want the radio host who criticized his daughter fired.
Earlier Monday, Brady went on Boston’s WEEI to call out host Alex Reimer for calling his daughter an "annoying little pissant" and said he would “evaluate” whether he would come on the station again. The brief appearance on Kirk & Callahan --- which has Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on each week under a multiyear agreement --- resulted in widespread criticism of WEEI and Reimer, who was suspended for the comments Friday.
“I certainly hope the guy isn’t fired,” Brady said from the podium during the Patriots’ availability. “I would hate for that to happen.”
About the same time Brady took to the podium at the Xcel Engery Center on Monday, WEEI’s parent company, Entercom, issued an apology to Brady for Reimer’s “utterly indefensible and mean‐spirited commentary directed” at Brady’s 5-year-old daughter. Reimer would remain suspended indefinitely, according to the statement.
“We deeply regret what happened and offer our sincerest apologies to Tom Brady, his daughter and his family, as well as the New England Patriots organization,” Entercom said in a statement. “Mr. Brady has been a long time contributor to WEEI throughout his Patriots career, and he has treated us with the utmost professionalism and respect throughout the partnership. We have communicated our course of action to the Patriots and Tom Brady, and they are in support of our disciplinary response.”
Reimer described Brady's daughter, Vivian, during a discussion about a documentary that features the five-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, Tom vs. Time.
“I think any parent is protective of their kids,” Brady said. “I understand criticism is part of sports, but I certainly don’t think my children or any other children should really be in that.”
Contributing Tom Schad
Follow Perez on Twitter @byajperez and Schad @Tom_Schad
PHOTOS: SUPER BOWL 2018 OPENING NIGHT
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