I don't remember where I read it, and I didn't manage to find it after a couple of minutes of googling. It could be a fabrication but I have two memories about it that speaks against it:

1) I think it was in a interview with JA himself (could have been the DDB book though which does indeed make it less credible)

2) It was said in a jokingly and positive way, which suggests it's not disinformation spread by someone trying to get them.