Dan Marino throws support behind Tom Brady

Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino was in Westwood Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, a new restaurant located at University Station.

“Anthony and I became friends, I don't know, 25 years ago,” said Marino. “He talked about wanting to do this concept and I've been a partner and an investor from the beginning. It's something that's been a lot of fun for me.”

Marino, who played 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, addressed Deflategate and offered support for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

“When I played, I didn't even know they checked the balls,” said Marino. “Obviously, the do. I would just feel the ball and whatever felt good to me, that's what we would throw. Throughout the league all quarterbacks are like that. I don't think that Tom would intentionally try to do something to have an advantage over someone else.”

Marino's NFL career ended in 1999. Brady was drafted by the Patriots in April, 2000. While the two quarterbacks never met on the field, their relationship blossomed over the last 15 years thanks to Marino's involvement in broadcasting.

“He's a great player,” said Marino about Brady. “He's been a friend for a long time. It's hard for me to say anything negative about him.”

Anthony's restaurants, owned and operated by CEO Anthony Bruno, have received positive reviews across pockets of the country. The Westwood location is the first of three expected to open in Massachusetts over the next 12 months, including spots in Northborough and Reading. Marino has been an equity investor from the beginning.

“Anthony's the super star, really. He's the guy that understands the whole business,” said Marino. “This is our 49th store so it's been very successful. I've really enjoyed being a part of it and we figured Boston would be a great market. Here at University Station is our first one. We open two more over the next year or so. It's exciting.”

“That's one of the most satisfying things actually,” said Marino. “From one store you see it develop to 20 stores and then 40 stores. All the young people that are involved, seeing them grow, too.

“The atmosphere has a lot of energy. The fact that Anthony grew up with, he calls it, ‘Italian soul food.' So that's what we have here – Italian soul food.”

Marino spent many fall Sundays in New England, but always on the visitors sideline. When asked if a Patriots fan would really want to visit a restaurant backed by Marino, he chuckled.

“Sure why not?” he said. “I mean, they came out to watch when we played, right? Actually, the food and the place and atmosphere is going to stand on its own one way or the other. At the end of the day, that's exactly how a restaurant is successful.”

“Boston's a big market,” said Marino. “We have South Florida, we also have Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, my hometown – we have four in Pittsburgh. We're going to have ones in Reading and Northborough, too, coming in the next year or so. We'll see how it goes. I think it's going to do great here.”

Marino, who remains a special advisor for the Dolphins, likes what he has seen from his team during the offseason. Miami was aggressive in free agency, signing former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a lucrative long-term contract.

“We haven't been in the playoffs for a few years,” said Marino. “I think we feel real good about where we're going as far as the team is concerned. I think we're improving and hopefully we can be that team.”

Like many fans, he's eager to get the focus off deflated footballs and onto the action on the field.

“I think everybody's kind of ready to move past it,” he said. “The league deals with it how they deal with it and it's not really up to me to comment on that. I'm sure everybody will be looking forward to next season.”

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