Fox commentator Tom Brady called Justin Herbert’s fourth-quarter interception against the Buffalo Bills a “meatball sub,” criticizing the Chargers quarterback’s awareness and decision. Los Angeles led 13-0; Buffalo immediately drove for a touchdown and took the lead.
The phrase had been used in football before Brady’s broadcast: accounts used it the previous weekend, and Rams defensive end Kobie Turner said it after Los Angeles intercepted Jameis Winston in Week 2. One Instagram user suggested it came from baseball’s “meatball,” meaning an easy-to-hit pitch; an earlier sandwich comparison may date to a 2023 post about Derek Carr.
Drake Maye also drew “meatball sub” comparisons that day after throwing two interceptions, according to the article.
