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Some NFL players believe race was a factor in New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension being lifted, according to New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Marshall appeared on Showtime's "Inside the NFL" on Tuesday, and he didn't hold back when it came to Deflategate.

"I think that there are three different types of players viewing this thing," Marshall said on the show. "Number one is the fighter. I think there are guys that are in the fight with Tom (Brady). When one player's rights are upheld, 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 (type of player's view) is the coward. I call them cowards. That's the guys who are afraid to face Tom Brady. They want him suspended. I don't believe in that.

"And the last (type) is the race card. There are a lot of players out there that believe that white players, specifically at the quarterback position, are treated differently."

Marshall went on to say that these sort of conversations are going on in locker rooms throughout the country.

"This is how guys are feeling," he said. "This is not just my opinion. These are conversations I'm having with guys. It's just not African-American players. I've had this conversation with Caucasian players as well."

Thumbnail photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images