Did Race Play Role In Brady Suspension Lifted?

New York Jets receiver Brandon Marshall said Tuesday that many players in the NFL believe race played a role in Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension being lifted.

"The race card," Marshall said. "There are a lot of players out there that believe that white players -- specifically, at the quarterback position -- are treated differently."

Marshall made his comments as part of a panel discussion on Showtime's "Inside the NFL."

A 10-year veteran, Marshall is a regular on the weekly show. Deflategate, naturally, was a hot topic on the season's first show.

"I think that there are three different types of players' views in this thing," said Marshall, glancing at prepared notes.

"No. 1 is the fighter. I think there are guys in the fight with Tom. When one player's rights are upheld, then all players' rights are upheld. It's not about what he did, if he's right or wrong. It's more about the process. Is it fair?

"The second is cowards -- I call them cowards. That's the guys that are afraid to face Tom Brady. They want him suspended; I don't believe in that."

The third, Marshall said, was "the race card."

Thursday, September 10 Schedule (Time Central)

Pittsburgh at New England, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 13 Schedule (All Times Central)

Green Bay at Chicago, 12:00 p.m.

Kansas City at Houston, 12:00 p.m.

Cleveland at New York, 12:00 p.m

Indianapolis at Buffalo, 12:00 p.m

Miami at Washington, 12:00 p.m.

Carolina at Jacksonville, 12:00 p.m.

Seattle at St. Louis, 12:00 p.m.

New Orleans at Arizona, 3:05 p.m.

Detroit at San Diego, 3:05 p.m.

Tennessee at Tampa Bay, 3:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Oakland, 3:25 p.m.

Baltimore at Denver, 3:25 p.m.

New York at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.