AP

This is a story that has nothing to do with #DeflateGate. Sort of.

The NFLPA announced today that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady led all players in products sold this spring, the first time he’s ever been atop their merchandise rankings.

The list is based on total sales of all officially licensed merchandise from March 1 through May 31. Perhaps not coincidentally, that covers the time when Brady was being investigated and suspended for his role in what the league found “more probable than not” tampering with footballs in the AFC Championship Game.

While the players union didn’t mention that in its release, they also had to be laughing at the coincidence, considering their preparations to fight any potential punishment in court if Brady’s appeal is unsuccessful.

Brady was third on last year’s year-end list, but saw a sudden surge in popularity at a time when commissioner Roger Goodell was summoning a report and declaring Brady guilty of something.

While Goodell already knew Brady was popular, you know the union doesn’t mind reminding him of just how popular the player he’s considering shelving for a quarter of the season actually is.