Tom Brady reacts to being named fans’ least favorite QB

Want to know just how good Tom Brady was feeling on Thursday?

After explaining that what he had on Wednesday was not, in fact, the bubonic plague, he took part in a lighthearted back-and-forth with WHDH TV's Dan Hausle about how Brady had recently been found to be the least liked quarterback in the NFL according to one poll.

"Really?" Brady said, at least acting surprised.

It's true. Here are some of the results from the Public Policy Polling:

Brady may have more rings than any of his fellow quarterbacks, but he also inspires more animosity. Eighteen percent say he's their least favorite QB to 12% for [Tim] Tebow, 11% for [Robert Griffin III], 7% for Eli Manning, 5% for Peyton [Manning] and [Drew] Brees, 4% for [Cam] Newton, and 3% for [Aaron] Rodgers and [Russell] Wilson.

Yet there's this: Brady was actually tied in the poll as the league's second most popular signal-caller as well. Thirteen percent of voters called both Brady and Griffin their favorite. Manning, Brady's opponent this week in the AFC title game, led all vote-getters with 22 percent of the popularity vote.

Still, why all the hate for No. 12?

"There are probably a lot of reasons," Brady said with a laugh. "I don’t know. That’s a great question."

Might it be Brady's on-the-field success? He's surely made a lot of enemies just by winning. Or maybe it's his competitive streak? He's had words with opponents on the field in the past, most notably Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.

"Some have suggested jealousy of not only football success, but the kind of life you have off the field," Hausle said.

"What kind of life to do I have off the field?" Brady replied.

Well, there are the endorsement deals. The beautiful homes. The moat.

Oh, and the wife who also happens to be one of the world's most famous supermodels, Gisele Bundchen.

"Oh, that," Brady said laughing. "That’s the reason."

Reminded that some may be jealous of all Brady has going for him, Brady admitted, "I live a great life. I do."

Then Hausle ended up back where he began. Is that where Brady thinks the hate comes from?

"I’m not sure. I’m not sure," Brady said. "You’d probably have to ask all those people that you polled. But you’re right, there’s nothing I’d rather do than play football for the New England Patriots. And yes, I have a great family. Thank you."

-- Phil Perry, CSNNE.com