Tom Brady: I've Never 'Influenced a Call'

Coincidence or not, after Tom Brady missed almost all of the 2008 season after a low hit tore the Patriots star's left MCL and ACL, the NFL's Competition Committee made clear that it would enforce more strictly a rule preventing defenders from tackling quarterbacks at or below the knee. It was affectionately dubbed "The Brady Rule" by folks outside the league office.

And the Patriots have benefitted from the increased focus on QB protection, with their opponents picking up five roughing the passer penalties in seven games. One, in particular, raised some eyebrows -- in New England's Week 4 win over Baltimore, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs gently brushed Brady's knee, and Brady gestured back at referee Ron Winter, and a flag came flying.

Winter might have thrown the flag regardless of Brady's reaction -- it is in the rule book, after all, though the rule states that forcible contact must me made -- but, nonetheless, the anti-Brady folk out there used it as evidence that Brady gets whatever he wants from officials.

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter picked up that banner and is carrying it into Miami's game in New England this week. During an interview with the NFL Network's Rich Eisen, Porter said there's "no question" that Brady receives preferential treatment.

"When a guy can tell a ref when to throw a flag, and he gets it, he's got his own rules," Porter said, according to Pro Football Talk. "They made the rule that you don't go at the legs for Tom, so when he feels that someone is going at his legs, he just points to the ref and he gets a flag. So I can honestly say that he gets his own rules."

On Friday, Brady respectfully disagreed.

"No, I don't think so, " Brady told the Boston Globe when asked if he's ever forced a ref's hand. "You may get more calls. I don't know. I think the ref calls what he sees. I don't think I've ever influenced a call. The refs we have are very good. If they make a call on that, great. If they don't, that's fine."

Brady's situation aside, some of this can be chalked up to the league-wide epidemic regarding QB-protection penalties. It's not just New England that has benefited from some ticky-tack roughing the passer calls. Between the low hits, hits to the head, late hits, and tackles deemed unnecessarily ruthless, the number of flags flying when quarterbacks take a shot are rising everywhere.

Beyond that, though, is it really that surprising for Brady to get an extra flag here or there? Whether it's supported by the stats or not, high-profile players always seem to get away with a bit more than your average guy. That's not just an NFL issue -- look at LeBron James in the NBA or Sidney Crosby in the NHL. The perception is that they get a few freebies just because of reputation -- and while it's unfair to hang accusations like that on refs, it's also not totally unfathomable that it happens.

If you're officiating a Patriots game, knowing Brady's recent history, and you see someone clip him on the knee while he stumbles and looks to you for a call -- whether he explicitly asks for one or not -- there's a good chance you'd be more inclined to throw a flag. It's just human nature, not to mention the rule justifying a penalty there if his knee gets hit.

But regardless of Brady's personal protection, Porter's words -- as they often do -- added some extra spice to this weekend's AFC East showdown. It'll be interesting to see what happens if he comes in low on New England's golden boy.

Tom Brady: I've Never 'Influenced a Call' -- NFL FanHouse

he doesn't really believe that.

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rotfl...... hes influenced more calls+rules than shaquile oneal, kobe, lebron and a.i. combined

not the 1st time he's lied, dude denied the cameras and still does to this day.

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Tom for President ...

so why cry to the ref if you have no influnce? Boston sports stay losing

actually they stay winning

lol this dude is somethin else, full of lies, theres video evidence tom

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Boston won more titles than NY this decade in all sports, how do they stay losing clown

lol tom is the goat but this is bulls**t

they won with cheaters

@ you assuming i'm a ny fan FAIL

Seriously, i'm shocked he even replied to Porter, its all blind hate to catch him off gaurd, Miami is still getting owned tomorrow.

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really? the sox havent won s**t since ManRoid left, the Pats havent won in 5 years

^^^^im saying not the goat but damn near it..but anyone who knows football knows that hes he has his own flags for wen s**t happens

Your an attention seeking whore.

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ironic coming from a philly fan

Why didn't we get those flags in the SB, why give Eli the upper hand when everyone hates him?

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oh its a philly fan, no wonder he's salty, 1 title every 20 sum odd years is just not gonna cut bro, stay losing slim

I think the ref calls what he sees. I don't think I've ever influenced a call. The refs we have are very good. If they make a call on that, great. If they don't, that's fine

Something tells me the patriots are gonna have plenty of calls go there way sunday because of that comment.

Brady >>>


hate makes the world go 'round stay mad everybody!!

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