The NFL is currently reviewing Tom Brady's controversial kick on Ravens Safety Ed Reed in Sunday's AFC championship game, ESPN reports.
"Any play of that nature is routinely reviewed," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday.
During the final minute of the first half, the New England Patriots quarterback dashed on an improvised run, sliding safely to a stop while raising his leg to kick the fast approaching Reed, who temporarily limped away. Now Brady could be subject to a fine if the league thinks he is guilty of violating any player safety rules.
As the Bleacher Report notes, in the league's official rulebook, Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6(a), which covers unnecessary roughness penalties, explains the penalty as, "Using the foot or any part of the leg to strike an opponent with a whipping motion."
Baltimore safety Reed said Brady has since reached out to him and apologized for making contact with him on the slide.
"I told him -- you know, we talked," Reed told WJZ-FM in Baltimore. "We talked actually not too long ago; we talked on the phone. He actually reached out to me, texted me. I tried to text him back, but the message exploded after 12 seconds, so I had to call him ... and he just apologized and what not. But I told him, 'You know, it's good, man.' "
Reed suggested the kick came after Brady engaged in some trash talking with the Ravens safety on the field.
"For the most part, I didn't say anything to him when he said something to me at the game," he said. "... He was going, 'You want to play like that, let's go.' But, no, Brady's a great competitor and I love going against him and I know where his heart is at for this game. It was all good."
The nine-time Pro Bowler added that he still admires Brady and his talent.
"I know he's a great player," he said. "I respect Brady and his game for all it stands for, and I know he's not a dirty player. And emotions get going in the game."
Ravens safety Bernard Pollard wasn't as ready to forgive and forget Brady's kick. Pollard insisted Monday that the NFL, which charges fines on defensive players for helmet-to-helmet hits, should discipline Brady.
"If you want to keep this going in the right direction, everyone should be penalized for their actions," Pollard said, adding Brady "knew what he was doing."
"It has to go both ways. Hopefully the NFL will do something about it. If they don't, that's fine. If they do, then that's fine."
The Baltimore Ravens knocked the New England Patriots out of the playoffs in a 28-13 victory Sunday, becoming AFC champions and earning a trip to the Super Bowl.