Patriots QB Tom Brady was "assessed a landmark four-game suspension" for "breaching his sport's integrity" via his role in Deflategate, according to a front-page piece by Bob Hohler of the BOSTON GLOBE. No QB in NFL history has "received such a severe penalty for violating the game’s honor code." The Patriots organization was also fined $1M and "docked two draft picks -- a first-round selection in next year's draft and a fourth-round choice" in '17. Brady's agent Don Yee "vowed an aggressive appeal" of the league's ruling. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "justified the penalties by citing not only the team’s alleged tampering with footballs but Brady’s failure to fully cooperate with investigators." Read the full text of the league's statement on the punishment, as well as the letters sent to both the Patriots and to Brady. Patriots Owner Robert Kraft in a statement said, "Despite our conviction that there was no tampering with footballs, it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. Today’s punishment, however, far exceeded any reasonable expectation. It was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence." He added of Brady, "Our belief in him has not wavered." Yee said of the league's ruling, "In my opinion, this outcome was predetermined; there was no fairness in the Wells investigation whatsoever." Hohler notes Brady "would lose" about $2M in salary "should the four-game suspension stand." He would "be permitted to participate in all offseason activities, training camp, and preseason games, but he would be barred from NFL stadiums during regular season games" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12). In N.Y., Thompson, Myers & Price write the league's suspension of Brady has ignited a "nasty war between the country's richest sports league and its most glamorous quarterback" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/12).
EXTENDING THE PLAY: In Boston, Shalise Manza Young notes Brady's appeal "will be heard" by either Goodell or "an officer of Goodell’s choosing." NFL and NFLPA reps "have the right to attend all hearings, and Brady can also have his own legal counsel present." The appeal can "take place either at NFL offices" in N.Y. or "via telephone or video conference." Once Goodell or his hand-picked officer "decides on the appeal, the ruling is final" (
BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12). Also in Boston, Bob McGovern writes it "could spell trouble for Brady" if Goodell "decides to hang onto" the case. Marquette Univ. Sports Law Institute Dir Matthew Mitten said, "Who hears the appeal is pretty critical. If the appeal is to the league commissioner, there’s not going to be much of a ratcheting down. Independent arbitrators tend to look at the facts and ask the question: Does the punishment fit the crime?" (
BOSTON HERALD, 5/12). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio cited a source as saying that the NFLPA hopes Kraft "pushes for neutral arbitration." There is "already a sense within NFLPA leadership that Kraft wants Goodell to delegate the decision to an outside party." But the precedent "could be a dangerous one for the league." Florio: "If neutral arbitration is required for Brady, why isn’t it required for every player?" (
PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/11).
THE GOLDEN BOY GETS TARNISHED: USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero in a front-page piece writes Brady's suspension was a "remarkable rebuke" of the QB and the "most striking" aspect of the discipline levied by the league against the Patriots (
USA TODAY, 5/12). In N.Y., Bill Pennington wrote the suspension "was a stunning, rare and significant rebuke for Brady, widely considered the most successful quarterback of his generation." Brady also "becomes one of the most recognized, honored and popular players suspended in NFL history" (
N.Y. TIMES, 5/12). ABC’s Ryan Smith: “Tom Brady, who some say is the NFL’s ‘Golden Boy,’ now with a more dubious distinction: One of the highest-profile players ever suspended in NFL history” (
“GMA,” ABC, 5/12). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jonathan Clegg writes the punishments for Brady and the Patriots "appear severe" in comparison to "sanctions imposed by Goodell for other instances of tampering with footballs" (
WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/12). In N.Y., David Waldstein
reflects on the NFL's recent disciplinary history (
N.Y. TIMES, 5/12).
SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS: ESPN N.Y.'s Ian O'Connor wrote Brady should "hit the mute button on Yee and pass on his right to appeal." He should "instruct the players' union to stand down." He should "do the right thing here and admit that he knowingly broke the rules" (ESPNNY.com, 5/11). In Providence, Jim Donaldson writes Brady "made the wrong read" in handling Deflategate. He "clearly misread the situation he was facing with NFL investigators" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 5/12). Fox Sports Radio’s J.T. The Brick: “Brady should have handled this properly right after the Indy game, squashed it quickly. It was a disaster” (“Fox Sports Live Countdown,” FS1, 5/11). In Charlotte, Scott Fowler wrote no one on the Patriots' side "has defended" Brady with a lot of specifics "for very good reason." The specifics "would make him look bad" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 5/11). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes Brady "played fast and loose with the rules, and now he has to pay the price." Some "might say it's too high." But this "isn't about deflated footballs, it's about integrity and honesty," and those "don't come cheap" (USATODAY.com, 5/11). ESPN BOSTON's Jackie MacMullan wrote, "What seems to float Goodell's boat, after all: transparency. Pull up a chair, tell me everything, and I'll go easy on you. But the Patriots aren't very adept at being forthcoming, and they are paying the price" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 5/11).
GET 'ER, DON: CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora tweeted that Yee "is not afraid to go big and go bold and be creative in how he responds to NFL discipline. This will be an interesting few months." He added, "Yee, it's worth noting, went through this process with the NFL in Saints Bountygate case. Also represents Saints HC Sean Payton" (TWITTER.com, 5/11). In DC, Justin Moyer profiles Yee and writes once the verdict came, Yee "jumped, teeth bared." There is "no debating Yee's position: for his players, against the world, every time." He has "been a megaphone for players' rights, taking controversial positions that have made him a gadfly of sorts" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/12).
JUST THE BEGINNING: ESPN's Adam Schefter said the Patriots and Brady would most likely appeal their punishments and “this may just be the start of a protracted battle ... between the NFL and Tom Brady and the New England Patriots” (ESPN, 5/11). FS1’s Petros Papadakis said, “This is going to be a full summer of us talking about Tom Brady and deflating footballs. ... The NFL would much rather have us talking about this than they would the domestic violence or any of the other issues they have” ("Fox Sports Live Countdown," FS1, 5/11). FORBES' Patrick Rishe wrote yesterday's ruling will "only be the beginning of an entertaining and acrimonious summer" between the Patriots, Brady’s reps and the NFL (FORBES.com, 5/11). In Newark, Steve Politi sarcastically writes yesterday was "such a beneficial day for the NFL, having its biggest star suspended for the primetime launch to next season." And the "potential of an appeal that will keep this story alive is exactly what Goodell, who had the offseason from hell last summer, needed" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/12). In New Jersey, Tara Sullivan in a front-page piece writes the situation "has gotten ugly and, with all these promises (threats?) of appeals, has every probability of getting uglier, with neither side afraid to take public shots at the other" (Bergen RECORD, 5/12).
