Tom Brady's diet and recent cookbook …er "nutrition manual"…have been a hot topic this offseason.
Now, we find out that he's not the only No. 12-wearing, Super Bowl-winning, NFL MVP-snagging quarterback who's taking his diet very seriously. In fact, apparently Packers passer Aaron Rodgers' decision to eat better as he ages gracefully was influenced, at least partially, but Brady's well-known food habits.
ESPN quotes Rodgers saying, “To be honest, Tom Brady is an influencer there because of the stuff he talks about, and how healthy he is.”
The Boston Globe brings word of Brady surprising those in attendance with an appearance at the “Kelley for Ellie” fashion show to benefit breast cancer research. The Globe also passes along word that the Buffalo Bisons minor league baseball team is having a “Keep Brady Suspended” night the day after the Pawtucket Red Sox hold a "Free Brady" promotion.
The Boston Herald *noted that Brady threw autographed footballs into the crowd of thrilled ladies as the "Kelley for Ellie" event. Even though he didn't actually play in the game, now-retired linebacker Jerod Mayo tells the *Herald that Super Bowl XLIX was his favorite Patriots memory.
The Providence Journal says that Patriots safety Patrick Chung, who attended a charity event in Pawtucket on Wednesday, is ready to earn the contract extension he signed this spring. The ProJo also passes along word that Rob Gronkowski will be the featured athlete at the inaugural Rhode Island All-State High School Sports Awards Banquet on June 15.
ESPNBoston.com caught up with Jabaal Sheard at the same Play 60 event in Pawtucket and says the defensive end is ready to seize an increased role on the Patriots defense in the wake of the Chandler Jones trade. As hard as it is to believe, Las Vegas offers up the point spreads for 15 of New England's 16 games for the upcoming year – the Pittsburgh game is TBA for some reason – and the Patriots are favored in every contest except the opening night trip to Arizona.
ESPNBoston.com has more from Sheard and Chung playing with 75 young fans. Want to feel nauseous? Read this timeline of Deflategate events and then grab the Pepto!
CSNNE.com also sums up the first 500 days of Deflategate and the fact that there is no end in sight.
NFL.com says Dont’a Hightower is one of nine players poised to make their first Pro Bowl appearance in 2016. It's a Pro Bowl that will take place in Orlando and return to an AFC vs. NFC format.