Since 1992, the state of Colorado has gone to the Republican Presidential candidate exactly the same number of times it has gone to the Democratic candidate – three times each. The current frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2016 is Donald Trump, who leads by a more than 2-to-1 margin on his closest competitor, according to Real Clear Politics. But if Trump hopes to secure the Centennial State next year, he might need to think about his rhetoric on Tom Brady.

In an interview with FOX Business, Trump called Brady a “great friend” and says that Brady’s treatment throughout the Deflategate scandal is “ridiculous.”

“I think it’s ridiculous the way they’ve treated (Brady),” Trump said. “He’s a friend of mine, he’s a great friend of mine, he’s a great guy, and I think it’s ridiculous the way they’ve treated him. To spend $10 million in legal fees, and now it’s probably higher than that, it’s crazy. He’s a great star. They ought to go back to playing football. This country has bigger problems.”

Trump makes some good points – specifically the time and money that’s been wasted by all parties – about the scandal, but will that be enough for Broncos fans to give him their vote next November? Brady is about as popular in Colorado as Edward Snowden is in the Pentagon.

Four years of a guy who considers Brady a “great friend”? That might inspire a bid for secession here in Broncos Country.