The NFL on Monday suspended New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for four games without pay over the “Deflategate” scandal after an investigation found he probably was aware of ball tampering in a key playoff game.
The National Football League also fined the Patriots $US1 million ($A1.27 million) and stripped the Super Bowl champions of both their 2016 first round draft pick and the 2017 fourth round draft pick.
“Quarterback 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,” the NFL said in a statement.
“Brady may participate in all offseason, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games.”
An NFL investigation found last week that it was “more probable than not” that Patriots employees had conspired to deflate balls in the team’s AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, which they won 45-7.
That probe also found that Brady – who went on to lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks – was “at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities.”
“We reached these decisions after extensive discussion,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in Monday’s suspension announcement.
“We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report,” he added, referring to the investigation findings.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
No he wont get off...the most likely outcome according to ESPN is he will get a downgrade to a 2 or 3 game suspension. He is carrying the can for the Patriots prior record. I doubt Kraft will be too happy with him considering the way he defended him in Superbowl week. Brady obviously lied to him as well.
pete bloor
Guest
"justice"... "he will be let off" Hmmpf being "let off" typically isn't congruent with justice being served. Now I don't feel peds should be the same suspension as this but I think his denials and the team history come into it. I do like how it needs to be proven. According to Vincent there is proof that he likely did this repeatedly, which is the standard required by the nfl and one broadly consistent with civil courts. Brady has exercised his right to obstruct the ability to garner more certainty so he and Kraft are hypocritical to request a higher standard they refuse to enable to be reached.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I can still hear Ryan O'Connell's tears
Kingcowboy
Guest
No way should he have handed his phone or emails over to the NFL. Have you seen his Mrs? Pics of her would have ended up all over the net. That is how petty some people within the NFL are. Even if Tom was PROVEN to have done something wrong, I suggest a fine but no way does he deserve to miss a qtr of the season. Anyway Mr Kraft and Tom will appeal the fine and I think justice will prevail and he will be let off and all the haters will have to find something else to complain about.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
I assume you have had a look or at least heard of the text messages between the equipment staff regarding Brady and the ball pressure.....no wonder he wouldn't allow his own phone or email to be examined by the NFL. Get over it, he broke the rules, he got caught, now he has to suck it up.
pete bloor
Guest
unbiased? He's the pats beat writer effectively for espn Boston, covered the pats since 97, holds weekly patriots chats and grew up in new England following the pats. I think you may need to look up what unbiased means.
Kingcowboy
Guest
I hope Brady uses this as motivation when he comes back next year. No way he deserves to miss a qtr of the season for something that wasn't proven. The NFL had painted itself into a corner and the penalty had already been decided before the investigation had been completed. I suggest people read some of MIke Reiss's articles on ESPN, as he is the only unbiased reporter in all of this. But hey, I guess the haters won in the end. I can't wait to the Pats destroy the Colts in week 5.
Russell Crowe
Guest
Too late now.. Superbowl is long gone.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Four games, wow.