Tom Brady was "assessed a landmark four-game suspension Monday for breaching his sport’s integrity," and no QB in NFL history has "received such a severe penalty for violating the game’s honor code." Brady’s agent Don Yee "vowed an aggressive appeal." Patriots Owner Robert Kraft said the punishment “far exceeded any reasonable expectation,” while supporting Brady: "Our belief in him has not wavered" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12). League insiders “will be watching closely to see where Kraft aims his inevitable retort, as several sources have said Kraft has been less than thrilled with Jeff Pash, the NFL's chief legal counsel” (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/11). Boston Globe front-page, Ben Volin, "A Championship Team Done In By Its Own Defiance": "The Patriots have no one to blame for this but themselves. They have been arrogant and defiant from the start."
The Boston papers featured either a neutral tone or defended the Patriots, while the N.Y. tabloids went at Brady. Boston Globe, above the fold, “Brady Suspended; Patriots Punished” ... Boston Herald, A1, “NFL Air Heads!” ... Indianapolis Star, top of A1, “The Lesson: Cheaters Do Win” ... Wall Street Journal, below the fold, “NFL Suspends Tom Brady” ... N.Y. Times, bottom right, “Brady Receives A 4-Game Ban” ... N.Y. Daily News, A1, “Kicked In The Balls” ... N.Y. Post, A1, “Ball Busted!” ... USA Today, above the fold, “NFL Suspends Brady 4 Games, Fines Patriots $1M” ... L.A. Times, A1 right rail, “NFL Sacks Brady For Four Games Over ‘Deflategate’” ... Miami Herald, A1 top rail, “Tom Brady Banned Four Games For Ball Scheme”
Deflategate was the second story on network morning shows today, after the latest Nepal earthquake. ABC teased the headline “Brady Bombshell,” CBS ran “Overblown?” and NBC featured “Ridiculous” in reference to Brady’s agent's take on the punishment. “GMA” had Michael Strahan and Jesse Palmer live in-studio. “CBS This Morning” featured a taped appearance by CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora and live in-studio appearances from SI’s Peter King and sportscaster Jim Gray. “Today” included a taped segment by PFT’s Mike Florio and NBC’s Bob Costas live in-studio.
USA Today and the San Diego Union-Tribune feature “Deflategate” editorial cartoons:
Twitter reaction was widespread: Suzanne Johnson, wife of Jets Owner Woody Johnson, "tweeted an emoji of a big, laughing smiley face with a link to the story of Brady's suspension." Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson: "Well done @NFL ... #DeflateGate." Chargers WR Stevie Johnson: "DeflateGate...blah #FreeTomBrady."
