New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft delivered a questionable comment after he favored his franchise quarterback, Tom Brady, to one of the all-time greats.
"I think that Tommy, with all due respect, is better than Joe Montana," New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a NFL.com profile of Brady. "I know that's a leap, but I really think he might already be the best of all-time.
"I watch how involved he is, how driven he is. He's like (New England coach Bill) Belichick, he's into the details. And he's got a skill that makes him so special, he can process all of it so quickly. ... And then, he's just got that quality.
"Certain people have that sincerity. He's a very genuine guy. People can relate to him. People can trust him.
"He's like a fifth son to me. He's special."
Brady was asked of his thoughts on Kraft's comments and he had this to say:
"Well, that's my boss. And I love Mr. Kraft for a lot of reasons, and we have a great relationship, and a great friendship. He's been through a lot the last few years. There'd be nothing more exciting for all us players than to win for him, because it means a lot to him."
Brady, who grew up in San Mateo, idolized Montana and has gone on to win multiple Super Bowls like Montana, and is now going after that elusive fourth ring again.
He has quarterbacked the Patriots to the Super Bowl in five of the past 11 seasons, winning his first three trips (in the 2001, '03 and '04 seasons) before losing to the New York Giants to cap the 2007 and 2011 seasons.
Brady is considered one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, but is the comparison even fair?
The regular season career passing stats of Montana and Brady may shed some light to the debate:
Both warmed the bench as rookies: Montana in 1979 as a third-round draft pick; Brady in 2000 as a sixth-round find.
Both lost a season to injury: Montana in 1992 with an elbow, his 13th and final season with the 49ers; Brady with a knee in the 2008 opener.
But, Montana, of course, went 4-0 in Super Bowls, with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions.
It's tough to say who's truly better, but both players have certainly had Hall of Fame careers worthy to be brought up in discussion.