NFL icon Tom Brady and social media personality-turned-WWE star Logan Paul set social media buzzing on Friday after an onstage confrontation at Fanatics Fest NYC turned physical.
The viral video released by Fanatics Fest showed Brady reaching around NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns and striking Paul with an open hand before Towns stepped in to separate the pair.
The brief video, however, does not show what led to the confrontation. But many fans questioned whether the exchange was genuine or part of a promotional storyline.
What happened at Fanatics Fest?
The situation unfurled during the “This Is Why We Collect” panel at Fanatics Fest in New York City’s Jacob Javits Center.
Videos circulating online show Brady and Paul standing face-to-face while Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns stood between them. Moments later, Brady extended his arm around Towns and appeared to slap Paul across the face with an open hand.
Towns immediately stretched out both arms to separate the two as they continued exchanging words. There was no further escalation, and the event proceeded smoothly thereon.
Logan Paul vs Tom Brady
Soon after the clip went viral, Paul took to X to explain his version of events. He wrote, “This happened bc I was roasting Tom for beating him in flag football. And he tries to smack me?? Horrible example for the kids.”
To further provoke Brady, Paul added in his X post, “Aura -100. Blocked. With a torn tricep.”
Brady responded in kind. First, he replied with a one-word post on the viral video of the slap. He just wrote, “Dork.”
He later reposted Paul’s message and wrote, “I tried America… will try again next time I see this nerd.”
Also read: Logan Paul slammed by One Piece fans after mocking their anger over his $550K manga buy
Old rivalry, new slap
Friday’s exchange builds on a playful rivalry that began months earlier during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in March, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Before that game, Paul had compared his athletic ability as a WWE performer to NFL players. Brady dismissed the comparison, reportedly describing Paul’s wrestling background as “cute.”
Paul’s team ultimately defeated Brady’s side in the celebrity flag football contest. Despite the loss, Brady later praised Paul for his preparation and athletic performance.
Because of this old rivalry, fans online are speculating that the slap at the Fanatics Fest was an extension of their ongoing public banter and hence promotional.
One X user wrote, “If this was real, KAT wouldn’t have been able to hold Logan back.”
Another called both stars out and commented, “Everyone knows this is staged. Y’all are too old to be doing this.”
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