Former NFL QB says Tom Brady used ‘beat-up’ football in 2004
A former NFL quarterback says the New England Patriots and Tom Brady have a history of breaking the rules with footballs dating back over a decade ago.
A.J. Feeley, a 10-year veteran, told 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning that when he was with the Miami Dolphins in 2004 he saw Brady using older balls, instead of the brand new balls provided by the NFL.
“Prior to Tommy and Peyton Manning going to the league (in 2006) and saying, ‘Let us doctor our balls,’ used to all play with the same balls,” Feeley said. “Somehow this beat-up ball from the ball boy was getting thrown in on offense for New England, yet when we were on offense this orange brand new ball was getting thrown in.”
Feeley said he mentioned his observation to the ball boy and some of his coaches, but it was brushed aside.
“I made note of it to the ball boy and he even gave me a smirk,” Feeley said. “The time I tried to address it with the coaches but the defensive guys were like, ‘That doesn’t make a difference. Who cares about that? It doesn’t really matter.’”
Feeley said it rubbed him the wrong way that Brady was getting his own balls and saw it as an advantage.
“Sage Rosenfels and I were on the sideline and we were like, ‘Wow, he’s basically getting his own balls,’” Feeley said.
“That was an issue to me at the time.”
The rule was eventually changed a few years later in 2006 that allowed teams to use and prepare their own footballs. All this time later, Brady was suspended earlier this week for four games for what was deemed “conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL” for allegedly having staff members intentionally deflate footballs.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
