Tom Brady is facing backlash for brushing off the wardrobe malfunction that threatened to derail Janet Jackson’s career.
“I think in the end, it was probably a good thing for the NFL because everyone got to talk about it,” the retired quarterback, 45, said on Monday’s episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast. “It was just more publicity and more publicity for halftime shows.
“Is any publicity bad publicity?” he rhetorically asked. “That’s what they say, so who knows?”
Brady’s remarks were met with criticism from people on social media who believe the seven-time NFL champ was inconsiderate of everything Jackson, 56, had to go through after her 2004 Super Bowl nip-slip scandal.
“Janet Jackson faced public humiliation and outright misogynoir resulting in her getting blacklisted by the former CEO of CBS, but Tom Brady thinks all of that was ok because all publicity is good publicity. Sick,” tweeted one critic.
“I don’t think he understands the amount of s–t she went through after that backlash. That comment was too superficial and shallow,” wrote another.
“So a black woman’s career and reputation is damaged and she was taunted for a number of years by the mainstream media but you know what, it was good for the NFL?! Clearly too many knocks to his head,” added a third person.
“????? He should be ashamed for treating Janet’s trauma like that,” tweeted a fourth.
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Brady’s comments came nearly two decades after “Nipplegate” took place during Super Bowl XXXVIII. At the time, Jackson and Justin Timberlake were onstage performing the halftime show when the former *NSYNC member, now 42, accidentally tore off part of the “Rhythm Nation” singer’s top, exposing her breast to millions of viewers.
In February 2021, Timberlake issued a public apology to Jackson, as well as his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, after he faced criticism following the release of the documentary “Framing Britney Spears.”
“I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed,” he wrote in part on Instagram at the time.
“I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be part of and grow from.”
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Jackson and Timberlake seem to have move on from the Super Bowl drama. In fact, the “All for You” singer said last year that they are “good friends.”
“Honestly, this whole thing was blown way out of proportion,” she said in her Lifetime/A&E documentary.
“And, of course, it was an accident that should not have happened, but everyone is looking for someone to blame, and that’s gotta stop. Justin and I are very good friends, and we will always be very good friends.”
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