Deflategate is not new to former NFL quarterback A.J. Feeley. Feeley, who played with the Miami Dolphins in 2004 claims he witnessed New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady using worn, broken-in footballs when the two teams played each other that season. This came at a time when the league rules stated that the teams had to use brand new footballs that were provided by the NFL.
Feeley elaborated on his claim via 97.5 The Fanatic:
“Prior to Tommy and Peyton Manning going to the league and saying, ‘Let us doctor our balls’ we used to all play with the same balls. 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 felt that Brady had an advantage stating this:
“He’s getting his own balls thrown in on offense. That was an issue to me at the time. . . . We saw it then.”
Interesting is that Feeley took 11 years to mention his claim of Brady “cheating” to the public. Perhaps Feeley figured it was not a big deal overall, or that nothing would come of it if he did address the doctoring of the footballs.
It’s definitely a big deal now, and it will be interesting to see if more people like Feeley will be coming forward; if nothing other than to drum up a little self-fame along the way.
Photo: PalmBeachPost.com