National Football League

Drew Bledsoe 'frustrated' ex-NFL QBs ripped Tom Brady over Deflategate

Published Jan. 24, 2015 2:03 p.m. ET

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Drew Bledsoe heard what Troy Aikman said. He heard what Mark Brunell said.

But Bledsoe also knows Tom Brady -- perhaps better than most -- and believes those former NFL quarterbacks are dead wrong about the New England Patriots signal-caller's alleged involvement in the DeflateGate controversy.

"I was really frustrated," Bledsoe told Boston.com in an exclusive Friday night interview. "Because Mark Brunell is a friend of mine. And Troy Aikman is a friend of mine. And I like these guys and respect them. But I think it was really irresponsible of both of them to go make accusations that Tom's lying without the facts.

"Put it this way, if I thought Tom was cheating, or lying, I simply wouldn't say anything until I knew all the facts. But for guys to stand up and say that he cheated and that he's lying about it without having all the facts in hand, I think that's pretty irresponsible. I really do."

Bledsoe expected what he called "a quarterback fraternity" to support his former Patriots teammate, as he did when he sent Brady a text message.

"Tommy and I are friends," Bledsoe told Boston.com. "When he took my job, it was tough. I didn't like that. But it never had anything to do with Tom. He always conducted himself with class. When I see people come out and accuse him of being a cheater and a liar, I've got to stand up and say something. It's just not true. It's not who he is. It's not what he's about."

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