Furious NFL Fans Target British Journalist Tom Bradby Instead of Tom Brady

One of the Internet's most singular phenomenons is the occasion when an unwitting bystander finds himself sucked into the vortex of public backlash due to an errant keystroke. 

It's a case of mistaken identity compounded by anger and laziness, and it's the reason British journalist Tom Bradby can't open up his mentions without a flame-retardant suit to shield him from the chemical fire of poorly typed insults within.

Bradby, a political editor for ITV in the United Kingdom, has been the recipient of a firestorm of criticism for the crime of having a name and Twitter handle that are similar to the words "Tom Brady." 

SportsJoe.ie's Neil Treacy picked up on Bradby's recent dealings with harassment. When the decree initially came down from the NFL regarding New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension, the political reporter lamented all the misplaced angst that suddenly flooded into his life over social media.

Fortunately, a week passed, and Bradby's mentions returned to—wait, nope. Just more Deflategate stuff:

Here's a sampling of some of the criticism (and support!) he's received:

"

What does everyone think about @tombrady getting suspended? I think its BS. Love @tombradby. #NewEnglandPatriots @giseleofficial #nfl @espn

— Annabella Gutman (@AnnabellaGutman) May 16, 2015"

"

@NewEnglandPats_ @tombradby Haha ha Haaaaaaaaaaaaa Ha Ha Ha!! pic.twitter.com/3N6Zdwyxry

— Michael Joseph (@onthegreenintwo) May 11, 2015"

"

What Tom Brady wants for Christmas @SportsNation @jimmyfallon @tombradby pic.twitter.com/dgYrNQXTKb

— Ben kellum (@Benkellum14) May 14, 2015"

In the spirit of clearing the air and setting things right, here are some ways you can tell if you're tweeting at Tom Brady or Tom Bradby.

1. This is Tom Brady, who does not have a Twitter account:

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

2. This is Tom Bradby, who has a picture of his face in his Twitter account:

Jon Furniss/Associated Press

Another fun note in all of this is the chuckling of another Tom Brady—the rugby union-playing Tom Brady who you might also confuse with the American football-playing one.

Clearly knowing what it feels like to be the subject of mistaken identity, he retweeted one of Bradby's frustrated missives:

@tbrady14

As for Bradby, he eventually gave in and faced the music. He thinks Deflategate is dumb and that it's now part of his life:

It even has its perks:

To review: An NFL Brady is not a rugby union Brady is not a politics-covering Bradby. Let's be better, guys. If not for the Brad(b)ys, for ourselves.

Dan is on Twitter. We'll always have the great Brandon Marshall conundrum.