Deflate-Gate: Tom Brady Suspended Four Games

[Cooley Hurd]

Source: NBC.com

Tom Brady, the star quarterback of the New England Patriots, was suspended for four games after an investigator concluded he was probably aware that team personnel let air out of footballs for a playoff game.

"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 league said in a statement Monday afternoon. "Brady may participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games."

The investigator's report on the scandal known as Deflate-Gate, issued last week, faulted two Patriots employees in what it described as a probable scheme to deflate footballs for the AFC championship game, making them easier to grip.

</snip>

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/deflate-gate-tom-brady-xxxxxxxxxxxx-n357076

[alp227]

1. Boston Globe:

Tom Brady suspended, Patriots fined for Deflategate

Quarterback Tom Brady was suspended four games and the Patriots were fined $1 million and stripped of a first-round draft pick in 2016 for their involvement in the Deflategate scandal, the NFL announced Monday.

The league’s investigation, headed by Ted Wells, found that “it is more probable than not” that Patriots personnel deliberately deflated the team’s footballs in the AFC Championship game and that Brady was aware of it.

Two Patriots staffers — officials locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski — likely “participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls,” the report said.

Wells released his report May 6, more than 15 weeks after the controversy known as “Deflategate” began after the Patriots defeated the Colts, 45-7, on Jan. 18. Shortly after the game, a report emerged that the NFL was investigating the air pressure in the balls the Patriots used in that game.

Even though I don't like Brady or the Pats at all, I find this bread and circus show utterly ridiculous.

[Ken Burch]

2. And Belichek gets off scot-free?

Like the whole thing was Brady's idea?

[KamaAina]

6. It may well have been.

As you'll recall, he and Peyton Manning were the ones who pushed for the change allowing teams to control their own balls (so to speak). At the time, Peyton was employed by -- the Colts. Yes, the Colts, the very same team that created all this ruckus after the AFC championship game -- and were found to have 3 of their 4 balls underinflated!

[malthaussen]

7. You are familiar with the concept of "scapegoat," I presume? n/t

[rocktivity]

12. Well, duh.

I don't think Boss Kraft believes that a mil and a pair of draft picks is too high a price to pay for their exoneration.


rocktivity

[totodeinhere]

39. Belichek is being indirectly punished. He will be made to coach a team that lost

its first round draft pick.

[hrmjustin]

3. Good.

[amuse bouche]

40. Is this 'good'?

Accused rapist x2, Ben Roethlisberger got 4 games. Brady gets 4 games for 'probably' doing what other QB's do

Actually, the suspension was not for deflated footballs but for not turning over his texts. Only doing exactly what his lawyer said to do. The court will side with Brady and creepy Goodell will eat it

Nice justice system you believe in. Then again, I am not at all surprised

[hrmjustin]

41. I don't know much about Roethlisberger.

Who is he?

[amuse bouche]

43. " I don't know much about Roethlisberger"

"much' Implies you know something, so asking who he is makes no sense.

He's a QB in the NFL.

Then of course, there was Ray Rice assaulting his s/o into a non moving heap, on video

The NFL gave him a 2 game suspension.

Brady, loses 2 million in pay, not because he clearly broke any rules, but because like any intelligent person, did not turn his phone over to these bumbling morons

The NFL will lose in court. Maybe then, Goodell will finally be fired as the incompetent buffoon he is

It's a shame you haters are so quick to swallow the NFL swill

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026658429

[hrmjustin]

44. Thank you for the information.

Btw I don't hate.

[geek tragedy]

4. one for each superbowl ring. Pats fans will take that. nt

[Psephos]

25. Agreed - a good trade. n/t

[NobodyHere]

5. Suck it Pats!

[amuse bouche]

31. Hope they 'suck it' all the way to another Super Bowl

[NobodyHere]

32. I'm guess you support cheaters.

I'm also guessing you support banks who screw customers out of millions but only get fined thousands.

[amuse bouche]

33. " I'm guess you support cheaters"

You guess wrong. And like the NFL...you're guessing. Zero proof

If Tom takes this BS to court, he will win. The NFL has a horrible record for truth

"I'm also guessing you support banks who screw customers out of millions but only get fined thousands."

That should be alerted on as extreme nonsense.

[NobodyHere]

34. Zero proof? The NFL doesn't agree with you.

How bout deflated balls? Or did that just happen by magic?

But hey, it's ok to cheat as long as you win right?

[amuse bouche]

36. " it's ok to cheat as long as you win right?"

Why ask a question, if you only want you're own biased, uninformed answer?

I'll never get why adults do that?

Since when is 'probably' any kind of proof?

It's kind of pathetic, that people who hate the NFL big wigs, now swallow their garble, whole

[NobodyHere]

45. There is no probably about it

The patriots balls were found to be deinflated.

It's good to know you support cheaters though.

[amuse bouche]

62. Please show me where Brady told anyone to underinflate the footballs

[elias7]

66. 3 of 4 Indy colts balls were also underinflated

My guess is that the pats ball,so we're inflated to the lowest limit and the colts balls to a median pressure, with both sets of balls losing pressure in the extreme cold..

[jakeXT]

68. Only on one gauge

https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/investigative-and-expert-reports-re-footballs-used-during-afc-championsh.pdf

[NobodyHere]

69. Link?

Because according to this article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/long-awaited-deflate-gate-investigation-implicates-pats--tom-brady-173408354.html

The report said all 11 of the Patriots' game balls, when re-tested at halftime, were below the minimum level specified by NFL rules of 12.5 psi. The four Colts game balls that were re-tested were between 12.5 and 13.5 psi, so they were within the rules.

[SoCalMusicLover]

8. The Union Will Protest & It Will Be Compromised To 2 Games

He'll just take a couple of weeks off and bang his model wife on some island.

Not a bad trade off. Just proves what Jim Rome always said, if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying.

[tularetom]

9. Yeah if those balls had been properly inflated the score may have only been 38-7!

I don't like the Patriots and I really don't like Tom Brady but this whole story is a giant nothingburger as far as I'm concerned.

[Orrex]

14. You're right--it's ok for the winners to cheat

Even if they don't need to cheat in order to win.

[tularetom]

19. Not what I'm saying at all

But as long as you bring it up, this is America in the 21st century and yes, it apparently it is OK for the winners to cheat. It's been tolerated, or even rewarded for awhile now in business, in education and especially in politics.

Hey, it worked for the republicans in the 2000 (and probably 2004) election and they apparently did need to cheat in order to win.

[Orrex]

21. Tell you what...

Go rob a bank, and--at your trial--use as your defense the fact that one-percenters have been stealing much more from the public for centuries.

I'm sure that the judge and jury will be sympathetic and will let you go with a pat on the back.

[tularetom]

22. These arguments are getting more and more ridiculous

The reason I don't rob a bank has nothing to do with what the 1% can get away with. I don't do it because it's the wrong thing to do.

However, Brady, Belicheck, Kraft and the entire Pats organization are the 1%. That's why they get away with it. If it was really such a big deal they should have forfeited the AFC game and voided the Superb Owl result. That they didn't do that tells me the league doesn't really care about cheating. Or they don't consider partially deflated footballs to be cheating.

And if the league doesn't care why should I. Ergo, a giant nothingburger.

[Orrex]

35. You started from a ridiculous assertion

You snarkily opined that if the Patriots hadn't cheated, they would have won by a slightly smaller margin, which came across as a clear statement that cheating doesn't matter as long as the cheater would have won even without cheating.

If that was not your intent, then perhaps you should reconsider your phrasing.

[tularetom]

38. My "ridiculous assertion" neither stated nor implied any approval of cheating

What I hoped to convey was that I really don't give a flying fuck.

But congratulations on your ability to read volumes into a one sentence post. And regrets for your inability to grasp the content of that post.

Anyway goodnight. I've allowed you to waste far more of my time than this topic is even worth.

[Orrex]

42. I apologize for reading your post more carefully than you did.

In retrospect, it led me to perceive substance where there was none.

Be assured that I won't make that mistake again.

[LanternWaste]

55. And yet the mistake of conflating 'reading carefully' and 'inferring' will continue unabated...

"Be assured that I won't make that mistake again..."

And yet the mistake of conflating 'reading carefully' and 'inferring' will continue unabated...

[Orrex]

60. Quick! Call someone a half-wit again!

And see if your admirers once again infer depth and wisdom in your silly and redundant posts.

[amuse bouche]

37. "it's ok for the winners to cheat"

Probably is not poof, no matter how much you wish it so

Most fans are no fans of the NFL Big Wigs. It's funny to see them swallow this phlegm, whole

[amuse bouche]

63. Please show me where Brady told anyone to intentionally underinflate the footballs

[rpannier]

20. Funny thing is

They reinflated the footballs at halftime
In the 2nd half is when the Patriots pummeled the Colts

[A Simple Game]

23. The fact that they would have won anyway makes you wonder just how smart Brady is.

Why cheat and take a chance on getting caught if you don't need to. His reputation will forever be tarnished now.

Even if he didn't know about it before hand, someone that handles those balls every day and is exceptional at it would know the balls were soft.

[amuse bouche]

28. "someone that handles those balls every day and is exceptional at it would know the balls were soft.

You mean like the refs?

" The fact that they would have won anyway makes you wonder just how smart Brady is." You are assuming the NFL investigation has merit. That's a giant leap

[A Simple Game]

46. Yes the refs should have noticed and maybe they did and the Colt linebacker's

complaint just affirmed their suspicions. Aren't the Refs the ones that brought it to the NFL's attention? Why shouldn't I assume the NFL investigation has merit? Is it because your investigation was more thorough and you came to a different conclusion? Or should I just assume someone calling themselves "mouth amuser" on the internet is more reliable than the NFL?

But all is not lost, congratulations are in order, you have caused me to use a smilie for the first time in probably 3 or 4 years.

[jakeXT]

48. The ref said it's outside his jurisdiction

These concerns were brought by Colts equipment personnel to the attention of a game official on the
Colts sideline who was not responsive. Indeed, Clete Blakeman recalls that
someone from the Colts raised a concern with him but his initial reaction was that it was a matter outside his jurisdiction.

https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/investigative-and-expert-reports-re-footballs-used-during-afc-championsh.pdf

[A Simple Game]

52. Yet they adjusted the balls for the second half. n/t

[jakeXT]

54. Well, not one had enough air

[amuse bouche]

64. And your point is?

[amuse bouche]

50. " you have caused me to use a smilie for the first time in probably 3 or 4 years."

Wow.."3 or 4 years" what a sad life. You're welcome

Btw...the NFL has a terrible track record for reliable investigations

P.S. amuse bouche is not to be taken literally. It's a single, delicious bite

[A Simple Game]

53. I know what amuse bouche means but as for the delicious part?

That must be left up to the taster, not the chef.

[amuse bouche]

61. "That must be left up to the taster, not the chef"

That's right. So what's your point?

[fbc]

24. This wasn't a one game thing, they've been cheating for years.

[Corey_Baker08]

70. +1000

I couldn't agree more & Tom Brady should have been suspended for the season, 4 games is a slap on the wrist. It's Bullshit the Indianapolis Colts could have beat them in the playoffs if the Patriots hadn't cheated...

[iandhr]

10. I misinterpreted the rules.

[lancer78]

11. I can't believe

Bill Belli-cheat got off.

[amuse bouche]

30. You have zero evidence but do enjoy your haterade.

[Iggo]

13. Ha! Cheaters.

[Grassy Knoll]

15. No Worries....

Pebble Beach is awesome in September, LOL!!

[FailureToCommunicate]

16. But Ray Rice gets (only) two game suspension for beating his wife??

Roger Goodell needs to go.

4 game suspension for brady, a 1st rounder, a 4th rounder, and $1 million for footballs that were no more than .8psi below the "league regulations". Most ludicrous penalty of all time. Roger Goodell needs to go

"The NFL has announced its punishment of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for his alleged involvement in the Deflategate scandal earlier this year. He will be suspended for the first four games of the 2015-2016 season without pay. That is twice as long as the two-game suspension Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received for beating his fiancée."

[Psephos]

26. you speaka da truth n/t

[amuse bouche]

29. Exactly

The circumstantial BS on this is pathetic. "Probably" my arse

[davidpdx]

49. I agree with you about Goodell

Unfortunately he was the handpicked successor to a private organization. The way the Ray Rice suspension was dealt with was complete mismanagement.

[FailureToCommunicate]

65. AND this: Ethics? How 'bout this use of taxpayers $$...

"The Pentagon paid 14 NFL teams $5.4 million to 'salute troops'"

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-pentagon-pays-the-nfl-millions-to-honor-veterans-at-games-2015-5#ixzz3ZyvCDUam

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

67. Ray Rice should not have gotten any suspensions from the league

Rice didn't cheat. He committed a crime.

Rice should have been punished by the legal system, either some jail time, or some house arrest with a tether. That would have caused him to miss a few games, if he couldn't leave town.

The league should handle football rule violations. The legal system should handle crimes.

[JoeOtterbein]

17. Just like Wall Street

Cheaters don't get punished if they are rich. They get a four day vacation instead of a real punishment like they will give the two locker room guys who will likely be fired.

[Nuh Uh]

18. This bothers me

So Tom Brady gets fined roughly $1,250,000 a game or, $5 million dollars for "probably" knowing about deflategate. This means the Patriots save $5 million dollars but lose a 1st round draft pick for "probably" knowing about it. This is wrong on so many levels and is a perfect example what is wrong with the NFL.

[amuse bouche]

27. I hope Tom gets this nonsesne to court

He will win

Let's not forget there was video of Ray Rice assaulting his s/o and the NFL initially suspended him for 2 games

The NFL is horrible at investigating and coming to conclusions. They are whack

[jakeXT]

47. OMG Spaz

[FSogol]

51. ^^^Make this an OP^^^^

[arcane1]

57. The current drought in California is fake?

[hrmjustin]

58. The California Drought story is very real.

Perhaps you shoukd use google a bit more.