British TV reporter gets skewered on Twitter about Deflategate

Tom Bradby, a political reporter for Britain's ITV News is receiving abuse on Twitter from people confusing him with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and wanting to yell about Deflategate.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the people who want to attack a guy on the internet for messing with the air pressure of some footballs can't spell very well.

That's how an innocent British television pundit ended up being subjected to a deluge of messages from angry football fans.

Ever since Tom Brady was suspended four games by the NFL for his role in the "Deflategate" controversy, ITV News political reporter Tom Bradby has seen his Twitter mentions skyrocket. 

Bradby is not a professional quarterback who may or may not have incentivized low-level Patriots employees to let air out of balls. He's a Brit in his late 40's who's spent more than two decades in television.

• SI's complete coverage of Deflategate

Tell that to the people who yell at him on Twitter. 

Actually, having said that, a lot of my timeline is still filled with Americans who can't spell and news of Tom Brady and deflategate.

— tom bradby (@tombradby) May 19, 2015

On and on it goes. Hundreds of abusive tweets about some bloody ball I deflated. So just regular political abuse is a bit of a relief.

— tom bradby (@tombradby) May 19, 2015

The funny thing is I do sometimes genuinely puzzle now over whether the abuse is actually intended for me or for Tom Brady.

— tom bradby (@tombradby) May 19, 2015

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Maybe I should just bill him and Gisele for the time spent talking to their fans.

— tom bradby (@tombradby) May 19, 2015

In answer to the critics, I just want to make it clear that the reaction to Deflategate is vastly overdone - as is the suspension.

— tom bradby (@tombradby) May 19, 2015

Hey @tombradby got any deflate tips? Looking to drop a few pounds! Thanks.

— td_port (@td_port) May 16, 2015

@tombradby and @GStephanopoulos
could have a deflate party together.... pic.twitter.com/IL0WqVRgJU

— R Rose (@Rick74467) May 15, 2015

@tombradby 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/HmnUebLCpC

— Rob Paulsen (@XploringRobTv) May 15, 2015

Because of @tombradby I've started calling raisins deflate grapes.

— Doctor Swang (@SaucyBryanBossy) May 13, 2015

We're watching you @tombradby! #coltsnation #standup #rematchcoming @Colts @nfl #DeflateGate pic.twitter.com/Zkdxhhu5M2

— Mike Epps (@TheRealMikeEpps) May 13, 2015

hope @tombradby will fight harder to save his reputation than #BobKraft - amazing that he will let his life's work be soiled without a fight

— Patrick Hill (@hilly112) May 19, 2015

Happy Birthday Dad! We support @tombradby lol #PatriotPride pic.twitter.com/rNFSWiZE53

— Kalyn🦋 (@kalynnn6) May 16, 2015

- Dan Gartland