Tom Brady has been suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season as a punishment for his knowledge of deflated footballs in the AFC East game against the Indianapolis Colts. According to TMZ , the NFL released a statement on Monday evening, detailing their decision to hold Brady accountable.
“Tom Brady will be suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 regular season for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL. Brady may participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games.”
In addition, the New England Patriots have been hit with a $1 million fine and have lost their first-round pick in the 2016 draft. They also lost their fourth-round pick in 2017, according to the report.
Tom Brady has not yet released a statement following this announcement. According to WHDH, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that there were “extensive” discussions with many people before this decision was made.
“We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others. We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report,” said Goodell.
The two equipment managers believed to be involved with the deflating of footballs (John Jastremski and James McNally) have been suspended by the New England Patriots “indefinitely.”
Tom Brady will more than likely file an appeal, and many believe that he will win that appeal. Since there isn’t any direct evidence that proves Brady had a hand in Deflategate, there is a good chance that he won’t be sitting out the four-game suspension he was issued today. As previously reported by the Inquisitr , Brady may be able to cut his suspension in half .
While that works itself out, Patriots fans, though outraged, are already preparing for the year of Jimmy Garoppolo. Many hope that he will be able to hold his own while Brady sits on the sidelines.
Update
Tom Brady’s manager has released a statement following the news.
#BREAKING : Tom Brady’s agent reacts to the NFL suspension, calls the discipline “ridiculous.” http://t.co/sgQQDt2KwP pic.twitter.com/J9nP9D16io
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) May 11, 2015
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