Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is receiving support from a surprising colleague: Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Suggs says Brady, who is suspended for the first four games of the season for Deflategate, still has a sterling reputation in the NFL for what he’s done on the field.

“The guy is a winner,” Suggs said, via ESPN. “He’s won with whatever kind of personnel that he’s had. So I don’t think it really tarnished it.”

Suggs indicated that the media have made Deflategate a bigger deal than it deserves to be.

“But you know, you need something to write about,” Suggs said. “Everybody needs something to write about and needs something to talk about. It’s always something. I’m leaving that alone. They have people who handle that. I am going to stick to what we got to do here.”

Brady had nothing but praise for Suggs when asked about him in January, and now Suggs is returning the favor. These two guys who have battled so many times on the field have formed mutual respect over the course of all those battles.