NFL LOWERS THE BOOM ON BRADY, PATRIOTS
|| By FITSNEWS || Days after a report concluded he was “generally aware” of the illegal deflating of footballs used in the AFC championship game, the National Football League has suspended New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady without pay for the first four games of the 2015 season.
Brady will, of course, appeal the suspension – which was handed down “for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL.”
Two Patriots employees – John Jastremski and James McNally (a.k.a. “the deflator) – were suspended indefinitely by the league for their role in illegally deflating the balls.
In the aftermath of the Patriots’ 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts four months ago, eleven of the team’s twelve footballs were determined to have been at least two pounds per square inch below league specifications – which call for all balls to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch (and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces). The scandal – known as “Deflate-gate” – dominated headlines in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLIX, which the Patriots won over the Seattle Seahawks.
“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,” the NFL stated in its ruling. “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.”
In addition to the suspensions, the Patriots were fined $1 million and docked a first round pick in the 2016 draft and a fourth round pick in the 2017 draft.
Yeah … hammer. Dropped.
What’s the big deal about letting a little air out of the football? Well, under-inflated balls are easier for players to grip – especially in slick, rainy conditions like those that prevailed at Gillette Stadium during the AFC championship. They are also easier for wide receivers and running backs to catch. In fact, Brady has made his preference for under-inflated footballs well known, telling a New England radio station in 2011 “I like the deflated ball.”
Brady claimed he didn’t know the balls used in the AFC championship game were deflated, but the league’s report – prepared by Ted Wells – found Brady’s denials “not plausible and contradicted by other evidence.”
The Patriots bristled at the verdict, with owner Robert Kraft stating the NFL’s punishments “far exceeded any reasonable expectation” and that its ruling “was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence.”
As much as we hate to say it (this website’s founding editor is a 29-year fan of the Indianapolis Colts), we’re inclined to agree with Kraft. These punishments would be entirely appropriate – perhaps even a bit lenient – in the event the league had been provided with ironclad evidence of cheating. But they weren’t presented with such evidence, they were presented with conclusions based on the standard “more likely than not.”
Now … did the Patriots cheat? Clearly. Did their cheating impact the outcome of the game in question? Yes … although it’s unlikely this impact would have changed the outcome of the game.
But were these allegations conclusively proven? No.
“New England is – year-in, year-out – one of the most talented teams in the league. And Brady is without question one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the league (and hands-down the NFL’s best-ever post-season passer),” we wrote in the immediate aftermath of the scandal. “But the Patriots continue to sully the integrity of the game with their unnecessary and unsportsmanlike efforts to gain an unfair competitive advantage.”
Indeed … in fact the Patriots’ punishment was harsher than it otherwise would have been due to their prior bad behavior.
In 2007 the NFL fined New England head coach Bill Belichick $500,000 for his role in “spy-gate” – a scandal in which the Patriots were found to have illegally videotaped the New York Jets’ defensive coaches’ signals. The team was fined another $250,000 and docked its first round pick in the 2008 NFL draft as a result of the scandal – which allegedly involved a long-standing team practice.
The NFL said it gave “strong consideration” to these past indiscretions in determining the severity of punishments this go-round.
Brady’s agent was having none of it, accusing the league of participating in a “sting operation” with the Colts.
Worth noting? Assuming Brady’s suspension is upheld, he would return to New England’s lineup for an October 18 game against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
51 comments
Let the Patriots make it to the playoffs — then enforce Brady’s game suspensions because that’s when it would really be painful. Maybe even hold one suspension back for the Super Bowl if they make it. If they don’t get there then scratch it.
If the NFL cannot PROVE Brady committed any offense (as they admit) isn’t it un-American, and absurd to punish him at all?
It is the height of ignorance to buy into this punishment or Brady…when the NFL failed to convict him…
A liar, a cheater, and a murderer walk into a room. There is no punchline, this is the Patriots locker room. (I can’t add “Republican donor” to this list b/c Robert Kraft is not one…you got that one wrong, too…LMAO!)
You’re trying way too hard, and making an idiot of yourself…but at least you’re showing who, and what, you truly are…LMAO…
Once again this is ALL about race. NFL Players Union and blacks are upset about all the suspensions and fines for the black thugs that murder,rape and beat their wives.
They were demanding Goddell get ‘whitey’ for deflating footballs-something other teams do as well.
Liberalism on full display.
Very good point…but it’s not ALL race…some other Dumb-F*#ks – like FITS – want the Patriots damaged, so their teams have a shot (in their minds, at least)…
But FITS is very textbook Obama-media race-hate, too…
So this is a Slam Dunk Lemming issue for all the Dolts who listen to the DNC…
Yes…and you have to add a little Lerner/Clinton type ‘cover-up’ by Brady.Punishment don’t fit crime in this case however.
That from a Packer fan.We whipped his ass this year.
There’s no cover-up…you must be the FAKE fc.
fc whipped your @$$…and that’s why you’re trying to emulate him…
As I told my wife, there’s not much that unites all Americans, except cheating in a football game. And remember, this isn’t some court of law – it’s a private enterprise – or club – and the club committee has opted to take this action. They may get it reduced in arbitration – and then again – they may not. That the Patriots aren’t appealing the really steep action – the loss of a 1st round pick – speaks volumes. Brady is just a whiner now. And truth is, they probably have a lot more damaging evidence and he’ll bitch today, sulk tomorrow – and shut up on Thursday.
Brady is a whiner.Can’t stand him.However this is all about race.The color of his skin is why he was so heavily punished.Blacks would have probably boycotted training camp.
The NFL didn’t do this in depth of an investigation on Ray Rice.
speaking of race-baiters… holy crap!
Just a fact.Others INCLUDING many liberal commentators are making the same observation.
Have you ever considered abstaining from commenting on subjects you know nothing about?
Maybe Fits will post something about cooking or doing laundry. :)
I apologize for the joke about cooking. I’m a racist sexist insensitive jerk. LMAO!! :-)
Stop hijacking my name Boz or I will play your ‘golden oldies’ off the internet ALL day on Fits. :)
No it’s not. It’s about punishing a team and a QB who, through testimony and supported with texts, appear to have cheated. It’s not a court of law, it’a a private club. They are free to handle this anyway they want. Again, I would suspect they have even more damaging texts. Brady was less than forthcoming, and the league is punishing him for that and their belief that he was involved. It has nothing to do with race. If Brady was black it would be the same. This is at the team level, not the player level.
So you can just make an accusation, admit you have no proof..and the public – like you- is so ignorant…you accept it as Gospel…
No wonder we have a Bigot, who hates America, in the White House…
I think the players Union is on trial here.
They went to bat for a Murderer. If they drop the ball here…it’s obvious the Racism espoused by Barack Obama and the Democrat Party has saturated our most beloved institution to a level they are filthy, and corrupt..just like the Obama Administration…
Brady’s punishment has nothing to do with the President of the United States or American politics. The league did an investigation. In their opinion the balls were deflated (we knew that) and in their investigation text messages suggested that the equipment guys did it at Brady’s request. Brady refused to incriminate himself by cooperating with the investigation and providing his text history. Thus, they felt confident he was lying. Again, it ain’t a court of law, it’s a club, a league, a private enterprise and they are free to take what ever action they deem fit. In their opinion punishment was warrented to punish the team for cheating, the QB for cheating, and to make sure they protect the integrity of the game. Their focus is the game, not the White House, not you, and not some agenda. They’re out to protect the integrity of the game. And it’s their game, their league and they can do it.
Nah, I guess you’re right….the media NEVER punishes non-liberals for telling you – and your gods – to get F*#k#d…
You must be from Plant Bliss-Dumb@$$…LMAO….
I remember in the 2000 election, Billy Graham, a personal friend of the Bush Family – talked about what a great guy ‘W’ is (but not endorsing him against the fool AlGore) …
It was not more than 2 weeks later, the media did a HIT piece on Graham…a very CLEAN and dignified man who has NEVER had ANY scandal at all in his decades of GREAT work, love and giving…
You are an EVIL and Dirty brood. Your politics are your religion…and you hate w/ a zealotry that is difficult to fathom when your sordid kingdom and false gods are threatened…
If you deny that…you’re either a liar, or an idiot…
God your so thick sometimes. We’re talking about the NFL, Tom Brady, Bell Check and the Patriots. Not Billy Graham, the media or W.
Our balls matter!!!…
Punished for an offense the NFL admits it is not sure of???…WTF????
Didn’t all you liberals go berserk a couple years ago when the Union referees, were replaced…why did the Union refs MISS the ball deflation, if it was so obvious? Will be reinstated, and will any refs be suspended for failing on their job? (as logic would dictate)..We KNOW the refs failed…no one has any PROOF Brady did anything.
Will the NFL Players Union appeal this ignorant penalty?…or (since Brady does not fit the right to justice in 2015 America) will RACISM and hate prevent them from having this suspension – reversed???
Since Brady does not look like Obama’s son, if Obama had not aborted his son…Do Brady’s balls not matter?
Yep, you got another one wrong. Nice try jumping on Rush’s failed cause. Plus Brady was too much of a pussy to go to the White House b/c he knew he was guilty. And to think you are on the same side as another cheater, David Ortiz, who defended Brady. Egg on your face, much? LMAO!
Ahhh…the true ignorant racist weighs in…LMAO…
What’s ironic…, blind-@$$ lemmings – like you – too F*#king stupid to think for yourselves got it wrong.
What kind of perverted justice system dictates punishment, when there is no proof of a crime…???..Sharia law…???
F*#ked-up Obama idiots – like you – love ISIS, because they hate Republicans and America….And you’re so F*#king stupid you fall right in….never realizing you’d be the first to get your head lopped off – when you told them how much right you have to S*#k another man’s D*#k or F*#k him up the @$$…
The most Ignorant -like Saluda Rapids – are the most manipulated…and you sure have all the character of a Dumb@$$…You will do what you’re told, too F*#king stupid to ever figure out you’re the kind of simple-minded fool, the people you worship, prey upon….LMAO…
I think ISIS would like Republicans better than Democrats. ISIS would probably be fine with Republicans enforcing religious law in America while they enforce religious law in the Middle East. It’s secular humanism that ISIS hates (and a fair number of Republicans too).
If you did not have your ignorance, and leftwing mythology…you’d probably have to kill yourselves…
Brady refused to go because Michelle wanted him to test check Lil’ Barry’s balls for her …..
You don’t have balls to deflate.
Since you use a penile implant…I bet you do…LMAO….
First Tebow, now Brady.
You sure have a lot of bromances.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Spoken like a true lesbian.
As sweet as it is that you are forever running to his defense, I think GT is perfectly capable of fighting his own battles. Plus, that’ll give you more time to spread your own brand of Christian love around here.
Oh.Now you are telling commentators how to comment? That is rich.
I value justice, and equal treatment for all…you racist NAZI B@$t@*d..
I heard GrandTango is going to star in his own reality TV show, kind of like “Sister Wives” except for him it will be “Brother Husbands” LMAO!!!
You people really should quit trying…you’re an embarrassment to the Democrat Party…that does not need any help embarrassing itself after 6.5 years of Obama…
Wait
This site is now interested in allegations being,
“Conclusively “proved?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Pro Sports…It’s not how you play the game, it’s how much you can get away with and laugh at ticket holders all the way to the bank.
Brady may not have told anyone to deflate them, or even encourage them, however, no man can say to himself, “When I grip my erection I don’t feel any difference when I’m with a different woman, or when I’m not really in the mood, or when I’m not feeling well, or it’s just a piss-hard.” Guys do a quick pressure test before……CONFESS..!!
You know there are only two kind of liars in the world, those that say they never have jacked off and those that say they’ve quit. The only thing wrong with it, there’s no one to smoke a cigarette with when you’re done.
pretty good! that’s a new one on me…
The nice thing about masturbation is that you don’t have to dress up for it. [Truman Capote]
To the lonely it is company; to the forsaken it is a friend; to the aged and the impotent it is a benefactor; they that are penniless are yet rich, in that they still have this majestic diversion. [Mark Twain – credited]
Thankfully this terrible news was announced yesterday because it took my mind off of our country’s real SERIOUS PROBLEMS!
I just have one question that no one on ESPN, NBC, Sports Illustrated, Fits, or anyone else in the media has asked. Anyone who has played any level of football or is an average fan knows there is one person who touches the ball on EVERY play. It isn’t the center or the quarterback but the referee who spots the ball. So my question is if this is such a big deal and the balls were so underinflated when the Colts’ balls were not (I realize this seems to have been an ongoing event but the Colts game was the one most talked about) wouldn’t the referee have noticed the difference when he was spotting the balls? Wouldn’t he have felt they had different levels of inflation? I know Brady and the rest of them would probably be fined by the NFL if they brought this up but why has no one asked this? Next time you watch a football game look at the ref who spots the ball. He often will squeeze it and take different grips through out the game as well as throw the ball to another ref to spot the ball. I just think if it was so noticeable and such a competitive advantage you could have felt a difference between Brady’s ball and Lucks’ ball. And by the way this is nothing new. Everyone knows qbs like the balls a little underinflated and kickers like the ball over inflated.
I doubt the ref is squeezing balls as hard as the quarterback. But good point. Maybe they should carry a gauge and every time a new ball is introduced, they test it first. I doubt Bella Check and Tom Brady would want to be caught and busted on national TV.
Rocky I agree there is no way the ref is touching the balls in the same manner as the players but if it was enough to give a distinct competitive advantage I think it would be noticeable enough to the referees.
It’s just damn obvious — you are 10000% correct! Who is shitting who?
You are correct to a point, but the ball was only detected after an interception. It was another player that felt it by handling it in a manner to run or catch with it. They will use a different level of force to squeeze the ball than the refs on any given play. That is why it was noticed. Take a basketball and under inflate it. Not too much but just a tad. The only way you will notice from regular holding of that ball would be to squeeze really hard, or bounce it.
You are correct but being slightly underinflated to the point where “the only way you will notice from regular holding of that ball would be to squeeze really hard” doesn’t justify the penalties associated with the crime. That being said I was unaware it was detected after an interception and I do think that changes things slightly. However I just don’t understand the total lack of scrutiny towards the referee. They are supposed to be the ones enforcing these rules.
Handsome rich man from New England forced to take four-week vacation with supermodel wife, nation weeps
If Brady cheats in his personal life, why would he not cheat in his professional life? Just like the subject of many of Will’s articles. Once a cheater always a cheater.
still 28 games short on suspension by my math, but maybe white players get a break for things that don’t cross arbitrary longitudes and latitudes of political correctness.
Player knocks out his soon-to-be wife in an elevator with video evidence – 2 game suspension
Deflate a football and the player “may have had suspicion” about it – 4 game suspension
http://33.media.tumblr.com/580faca23d22bd17b5b867ab7c60d934/tumblr_inline_n2nga8hlhb1qhv088.jpg