Former NFL quarterback A.J. Feeley makes new claims about Tom Brady

We may now have a smoking gun in the ongoing "Deflategate" controversy. A former NFL quarterback claims he observed Patriots quarterback Tom Brady using beat-up footballs during a game.

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback A.J. Feeley told 97.5 The Fanatic over the phone on Wednesday that he witnessed Brady using a "beat-up" ball during a 2004 game, when the rules specified teams could only use new footballs provided by the league.

"Somehow this beat-up ball from the ball boy was getting thrown in on offense for New England, yet when we were on offense this orange brand new ball was getting thrown in," Feeley said. "He's getting his own balls thrown in on offense. That was an issue to me at the time. ...We saw it then."

In 2006 Brady and then-Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning lobbied the NFL to allow teams to provide their own footballs during games, according to CBS Sports.

More on Feeley

While Feeley's condemning statements against Brady seem damning, it's strange the former quarterback waited eleven years before speaking up.

Brady was suspended for four games earlier this week for his part in the deflation of several footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. Brady is expected to appeal his suspension.