New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) smiles after he receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy and an MVP in their 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, February 1, 2015. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with the Lombardi trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, February 1, 2015. New England beat Seattle 28-24 to win the Lombardi trophy and Super Bowl XLIX. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (L) holds the Lombardi trophy alongside of quarterback and MVP Tom Brady (R) after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, February 1, 2015. New England beat Seattle 28-24 to win the Lombardi trophy and Super Bowl XLIX. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Attorney Jeffrey L. Kessler arrives before New England Patriots Tom Brady on the day that Brady is to begin his appeal to Commissioner Roger Goodell in the Deflategate controversy at NFL Headquarters in New York on June 23, 2015. Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season, and the Patriots were fined $1 million and stripped of two picks. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Tom Brady supporters wait outside after New England Patriots Tom Brady arrives to present his appeal to Commissioner Roger Goodell in the Deflategate controversy at NFL Headquarters in New York on June 23, 2015. Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season, and the Patriots were fined $1 million and stripped of two picks. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, and safety Rodney Harrison (37) walk off the field after the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-20 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis on November 4, 2007. (UPI Photo/Mark Cowan) | License Photo

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., July 18 (UPI) -- While some former teammates have turned backs away from Tom Brady surrounding DeflateGate, it seems like most support the New England Patriots quarterback.

Enter Rodney Harrison. Harrison, who was Brady's teammate from 2003 through 2008, told Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated's Monday Morning Quarterback, that this is "the best thing" that could happen for Brady.


"You've got way over $100 million in the bank," Harrison told Vrentas. "You've got a beautiful wife. You've got a beautiful family. The natural tendency would be to say, 'I can lie in my silk sheets and just enjoy life now. I don't need football.' But I'm telling you: This is the best thing that could have happened to Tom Brady. This will rejuvenate him. The rest of the league better look out. This year, he's going to make everybody pay for what's happened."

Brady is currently facing a four-game suspension, pending appeal. The National Football League Player's Association (NFLPA) recently said that it would take the league to federal court if Brady's suspension remains.

"Believe me, he's not saying anything right now, but this is pissing him off, big-time," Harrison told Vrentas. "He will be supremely motivated this year. I know him. I know how he thinks. And this is going to be very bad for the rest of the league when they play Brady this year."

Harrison could have some merit toward his prediction. A season after the NFL punished the Patriots for spying on its opponents, the team fired off a 16-0 regular season record, but eventually lost in Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.