Former QB Brad Johnson: I paid to have footballs altered before Super Bowl XXXVII

Four days before leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, former quarterback Brad Johnson paid $7,500 to have the game balls altered.

Johnson, who made the revelation in an interview with Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, said he was forced to wear a glove during the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles - where the temperature was 26 degrees at kickoff - because he had trouble gripping the ball.

"I wouldn't have been able to play without it," he said.

The NFL had 100 new balls ready for the Super Bowl, but not wanting to take any chances, Johnson had them scuffed and ready before the Dixie Chicks took the stage for the national anthem.

"I paid some guys off to get the balls right," Johnson said. "I went and got all 100 footballs, and they took care of all of them."

Johnson made the admission several years ago, but the subject of altering footballs has become a hot topic following reports that the New England Patriots used under-inflated balls during their 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.

It's unclear how much of an advantage the altered balls gave Johnson, as they were used by both teams. Johnson threw for 215 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon threw for 272 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.