We’ll never really know if Tom Brady masterminded a scheme to deflate footballs.
But SportingNews.com threw the book at him by naming him the fifth-most hated NFL player of all-time.
If this top-40 list holds any sway, Brady will not only make the Hall of Fame but also the Hall of Hate.
Ahead of Brady on the list are Michael Vick at No. 1, Terrell Owens at No. 2, Ndamukong Suh at No. 3 and Greg Hardy at No. 4. Hardy’s inclusion on the list is curious considering that it purposely excludes players disliked for off-the-field behavior such as O.J. Simpson, Aaron Hernandez and Ray Rice.
The list includes players from different eras such as Lawrence Taylor, Jack Tatum and Conrad Dobler. So it was made with NFL history in mind.
Brady will make history if he becomes the first quarterback to win five Super Bowls. But it’s looking like he’ll have to overcome the hurdle of a four-game suspension if that’s going to happen in 2016.
If Brady ever does win that fifth Super Bowl, he might move a few spots up the hate list.