Tom Brady has a real friend in Brett Favre
Brett Favre sounds like he’s backing Tom Brady.
The former Packers quarterback said he understands the NFL’s view of Deflategate and why it had to take a stand against even the “insinuation of cheating.” But said that he doesn’t believe that Brady was stretching the rules.
“I don’t think by any stretch, in my opinion, that Tom was cheating.”
Once again, Brett Favre can add another first to his list of accomplishments. He owns a number of NFL records including passing yards (71,838), pass completions (6,300), pass attempts (10,169), pass interceptions (336), starts by a player (298), and wins by a starting quarterback (186). At the time of his retirement, he owned or shared over 200 NFL records and still owns or shares over 120. He also has achieved a number of firsts including being the only quarterback to have won three consecutive NFL MVP awards and the only quarterback to win a playoff game over the age of forty.
Favre's legacy may be best known for his consecutive starts streak of 297 games (321 including playoffs). Around New England, he just moved up the charts as a stand up guy. “I don’t know if Tom can honestly say he has completed more passes because of it,” Favre added. As for cheating by Tom Brady, "not a chance."
It is too bad that Brett Favre wasn't still a member of the Green Bay Packers when the New Orleans executed their Bountygate scheme against him in the 2009 NFC Championship game. The NFL loves the Packers, and the Saints would still be dealing with the sanctions. Brett was on the Vikings so the Saints weren't even docked a first round draft pick. If Tom Brady had helped to deflate footballs as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the story might not have even made the local newspapers.
USA Today:
"Like I said, I'll speak it as clearly and slowly as I can. He's my friend, he'll always be my friend," Manning told reporters before a fundraiser for the Indianapolis children's hospital named in his honor. "I don't know what happened, I don't have much more than that for you."
It sounds to me like Dance Class 101. Peyton Manning could have gained a lot of goodwill around New England with his backing of a friend in a time of need. It might have negated a few playoff performances with the local fan base. Oh well, that playoff record of 11 wins 12 losses "is what it is."
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire. .
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