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Patriots fan sports eerily realistic Tom Brady mask at season opener, becomes 'Fake Tom Brady'

See the Patriots fan who alternately excited and terrified the crowd at New England's season opener in a creepily realistic Tom Brady mask.
/ Source: TODAY

Tom Brady's four-game suspension for "Deflate-Gate" meant he was not allowed in the stadium for the New England Patriots' season opener. So a much creepier version of the star quarterback took his place.

A man wearing an eerily realistic Tom Brady mask was at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on Sunday night to give nightmares to small children and high fives to tailgating Patriots fans.

The mask even had Brady's updated haircut, which has been compared to everyone from Dwight Schrute on "The Office" to James Van der Beek in "Dawson's Creek."

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The expressionless mask was off just enough from the real thing to induce shivers, kind of like how the Michael Myers mask from "Halloween" was based on a mask of William Shatner as Captain Kirk from "Star Trek."

As the masked Tom Brady made the rounds in the parking lot, he spawned the hashtag #FakeBrady. Apparently, Patriots and Cardinals fans alike were alternately thrilled or unnerved by the sight of him.

It turned out that the Patriots didn't even need the real Brady, as back-up Jimmy Garroppolo helped New England knock off the Cardinals with a 23-21 victory to open the season.

Follow TODAY.com writer Scott Stump on Twitter.