New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been suspended for four regular-season games without pay over "Deflategate," the NFL announced on Monday. The league also fined $1M and forfeited the Patriots' future draft picks for taking advantage of the underinflated footballs in the playoffs.
NFL investigator Tedd Well has recently reported that two team employees intentionally altered the footballs before the AFC title game against Indianapolis Colts last January. Well also claimed that the star player was allegedly aware of the happenings.
The 37 year-old athlete's involvement to the New England Patriots deflated football scandal was called for a disciplinary action as the conduct was said to be "detrimental to the Integrity of NFL".
Brady will be suspended without pay for four regular-season games causing the athlete $2 million loss out of his $8 million base salary.
Other than that, the league also fined the Patriots $1 million and forfeited future draft-picks, including a first-round choice in 2016 and its fourth-round selection in the 2017 draft due to intentionally deflating the footballs in A.F.C championship game last season.
Aside from the easy-grip these deflated footballs can provide, it was also said to have helped the team in the cold and wet conditions during the match against Indianapolis Colts last January.
Don Yee, Brady's agent now claims that his client will appeal the suspension.
"The discipline is ridiculous and has no legitimate basis," Yee stated. "There is no evidence that Tom directed footballs be set at pressures below the allowable limits."
"In fact, the evidence shows Tom clearly emphasized that footballs be set at pressures within the rules. Tom also cooperated with the investigation and answered every question presented to him," he added.
It is known that the Patriots won the Super Bowl last January, with Brady earning the MVP title.
After the scandal surfaced, Brady denied the accusations saying "I believe in fair play and I respect the league, and everything they're doing to try to create a very competitive playing field for all the NFL teams." He also said that "every team is trying to do the best they can to win every week."
Despite this, conclusions were already made and NFL already handed down the penalties gaining mixed-reactions from the fans, celebrities and sportswriters. While some might be upset that the Super Bowl's MVP will not be playing for four games, some are also relieved that Tom Brady won't be gone for the whole season.
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