The NFL announced Monday that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been suspended for the team’s first four games without pay. The suspension comes less than a week after Ted Wells said that it was “more probable than not” that Brady was aware of the deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Pats will also be fined $1 million and will have forfeit their 2016 first-round pick and their 2017 fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Brady will be able to return Week 6 at Indianapolis. The Pats could very well be 2-2 or 1-3 when Brady does return, as three of their first four games are against playoff contenders.
First Four Games
Week 1 vs Steelers
Week 2 at Bills
Week 3 vs Jaguars
Week 4 Bye
Week 5 at Cowboys
Here’s the full statement from the NFL:
The New England Patriots were notified today of the following discipline that has been imposed for violations of the NFL Policy on Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules relating to the use of under-inflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game of this past season:
For the violation of the playing rules and the failure to cooperate in the subsequent investigation, the New England Patriots are fined $1 million and will forfeit the club’s first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and the club’s fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. If the Patriots have more than one selection in either of these rounds, the earlier selection shall be forfeited. The club may not trade or otherwise encumber these selections.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft advised Commissioner Roger Goodell last week that Patriots employees John Jastremski and James McNally have been indefinitely suspended without pay by the club, effective on May 6th. Neither of these individuals may be reinstated without the prior approval of NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. If they are reinstated by the Patriots, Jastremski is prohibited from having any role in the preparation, supervision, or handling of footballs to be used in NFL games during the 2015 season. McNally is barred from serving as a locker room attendant for the game officials, or having any involvement with the preparation, supervision, or handling of footballs or any other equipment on game day.
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. Brady may participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games.
Commissioner Goodell authorized the discipline that was imposed by NFL Executive President Troy Vincent, pursuant to the commissioner’s disciplinary authority under the NFL Constitution and Bylaws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association.
“We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others,” Commissioner Goodell said. “We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report.”
Twitter Reaction
So according to the NFL, deflating balls is twice as bad than knocking your girl unconscious. Got it
— Bam™ (@BigBam3) May 11, 2015
Number of games #TomBrady has been suspended pic.twitter.com/EuLksmCmWV
— Kalen Anderson (@Shoulders24_7) May 11, 2015
Without pay suspension for Tom Brady is a joke. His wife makes more than some third world countries. #NFL #Patriots
— paul del signore (@pdelsignore) May 11, 2015
Tom Brady’s punishment is a slap on the wrist.
— aliamichele (@aliamichele) May 11, 2015
If Tom Brady is the one being punished, why go after draft picks?
— Coximus (@Coximus2) May 11, 2015
Tom Brady suspended 4 games for deflating balls. First game back? Vs Indianapolis Colts, team that accused him. #NFL #Cantwriteabetterscript
— Tony Mataya (@tonymataya) May 11, 2015
Tom Brady suspension is twice as long as Ray Rice original suspension #deflategate
— Joe Salvatore (@radiojoee) May 11, 2015
I think Tom Brady blows just as much as the next guy. But, suspended for something he “probably, generally” was aware of is ridiculous!!!
— Carissa Lynne (@Carissa_Lynne) May 11, 2015
Tom Brady suspended for 4 games. Broncos are going to get the 1 seed in the AFC next year 🙂
— Ze-Hong Ong (@zehongong) May 11, 2015
