Dolphins linebacker Chris McCain says he has respect for Tom Brady

Chris McCain, backup linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, made headlines earlier this week when he received backlash on Twitter for his avatar. The picture is of him crushing Tom Brady's head. That has been his avatar since the off-season, but no one really noticed it until now.

Despite being attacked by numerous Patriots fans, McCain has kept his cool and even had some kind words for Brady.

Per James Walker of ESPN.com:

“Tom Brady, I respect him,” McCain said. “He’s a G-O-A-T [greatest of all time]. You can’t take that from him. I wasn’t trying to bring any attention to myself, to the team or anything like that. A fan made the picture and I liked it.”

McCain went on to say he grew up watching Brady and has no hatred towards him.

“I shook Brady’s hand last year when we won and played them,” McCain said. “I told him how I respect him and used to watch him when I was in middle school and they were in the Super Bowls against Carolina and the Eagles and stuff like that.”

Even if he was being playful, McCain is the latest in a long line of players and media personnel to say or do something stupid when referencing the Patriots. They'll use this as their bulletin board material this week, no doubt.

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