So hardcore Bucs fans may remember how Tom Brady demanded his centers jam a baby-powder-loaded towel in and across their buttocks so he could collect and throw a dry football.

Brady even had an exact way he recommended the towel be folded and inserted.

Of course, former Bucs Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen obliged, as did his eventual replacement, Robert Hainsey.

So did the custom become part of the Brady legacy in Tampa?

Baker Mayfield and rookie center Graham Barton each addressed that this week, oddly enough, and their answers appeared to clash.

However, Joe can’t be exactly sure and, frankly, Joe has no interest in probing deeper.

Barton was told he must wear a towel, Mayfield said on the Buccaneers Radio Network. And, mysteriously, Mayfield wouldn’t say who told Barton it was mandatory.

“I don’t make [centers insert a towel], but there is a difference when they don’t wear it,” Mayfield said. “And Graham quickly was told to wear a towel — [by] somebody that shall not be named. … It makes sense and it works.”

Here’s what Barton told The Sick Podcast — Pirate Parlay yesterday.

“Some days it’ll be at practice it’ll get really wet and I’ll throw a towel down there for him for convenience and dryness sake, but nothing out of the ordinary like that or nothing super pushy at all,” Barton said. “You know, Baker’s been great about that stuff, seems pretty low maintenence.

“I get the whole baby powder and towel thing. I’m not here to judge that or critique it all. I totally get it, but Baker has not asked me to do any of that yet.”

Joe had hoped this uncomfortable subject had retired with Byron Leftwch Tom Brady, but some of Joe’s media brethren love keeping it alive.

Strange bunch.

Still, Joe would rather talk towels than hear how some media types like to connect Baker Mayfield’s football success to becoming a father this spring.

Joe doesn’t recall a first baby helping Jameis Winston in 2018. And Joe wonders why fatherhood could somehow have more affect on quarterback play than at other positions.

Perhaps there’s a data nerd out there who has stats on how college prospects with an infant — or expecting a baby — perform in the NFL.

Regardless, Joe is happy that Mayfield is feeling dry and confident in his transition to a new center.