NFL Suspends Tom Brady, Punishes Patriots For "Deflategate" [Slap On The Wrist?]

CBS News ^ | May 11, 2015

[canuck_conservative]

Don’t even take the field during the Brady suspension games - If Robert Kraft has the stones, refund the home game suspensions, and concede the victory to the other team. Patriots will then go 12-4.

Pretty dramatic reply if they could pull it off, but -

(a) has any NFL team ever deliberately forfeited a game?

(b) would the NFL even allow it? (I'm thinking no)

[molson209]

Maybe the NFL could also do something about the Clintons ,LOL

[9thLife]

Next time, don’t snub the POTUS.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

As much as I hate Brady and his cheatin’ boss, this is a travesty. If the balls were a little under pressure it didn’t make enough difference to worry about. Can’t help but think this is for snubbing Dear Leader rather than anything to do with football. If the Saudis get suspended too it will be proof. The NFL gets more and more boring and less and less worthy of attention.

[BluH2o]

No one can tell me that the game official whose responsibility is to retrieve the ball and place it at the appropriate yard line, did not notice that the game ball was less than adequately inflated. NFL Officials need to be held accountable for this mess as well.

The footballs used in the game were inspected by the officials prior to the game ... then tampered with. An official picking up a game ball in the field of play to reposition it wouldn't know if it had been tampered with because he wasn't squeezing it to determine if it was under the PSI limit.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I hope he fights it.

He won't.

Brady was never going to play in the first 4 games of next season anyway.

The plan has been in place for a while to have Jimmy Garoppolo start for the first 4.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Totally agree. They knew what was afoot. They knew ahead of time.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Probably just a giant publicity stunt by the NFL to get more people to pay attention to them.
Bread and circuses for the masses.

[Smellin Salt]

This whole dog and pony show is an example of why I’m not a sports fan.

Here’s what I read. Brady, the multigazillionaire who directed the balls be deflated gets a 4 game suspension.

The working schlubs who carried out the orders are suspended for life.

Get screwed, NFL, I’ll continue not watching your garbage.

[BluH2o]

The working schlubs who carried out the orders are suspended for life.

Yeah ... and as type this they are being pursued by media/book publicist to reveal all for big bucks.

[acapesket]

Those “working schlubs” were trying to make some doughnuts on Autograph Day.

[VeniVidiVici]

An official picking up a game ball in the field of play to reposition it wouldn't know if it had been tampered with because he wasn't squeezing it to determine if it was under the PSI limit.

No, but they do pick up and squeeze the balls throughout the game while throwing them and placing them. They should have generally known that the balls were underinflated.

[Smellin Salt]

You’re probably right. More power to them.

[Fungi]

Why now? Why not before the super bowl when the incident happened? Because they did not want their ox gored before the big game, too much money to lose. This is really a joke and of no consequense. Does anyone really think he will feel the pain of a four game suspension?

[Gene Eric]

>> I gotta know....what is he guilty of?

He’s guilty by virtue of someone else’s assumption he probably knew something...

[ClearCase_guy]

The whole incident is a joke on every level.

I don't know for sure if the Patriots cheated. It really hasn't been proven. But we know they won their last two (very important) games WITHOUT using under-inflated balls. So, the whole thing is -- at best -- a small affair. And the refs didn't notice it. And the guilt wasn't established. And the standard penalty wasn't applied. And the timing is suspect. And the commissioner is biased.

It's almost like Professional Wrestling. Maybe Brady should wear a mask and make grandiose threats. It's good theater.

[SaxxonWoods]

Of course he knew.

[Impy]

Wow! Brady should have raped and beat up some women instead, you know a minor crime compared to THIS. First round pick next year too! Goodell clearly got his feewings hurt, wants the Pats to respect his authoritah.

I mean, beyond respecting Brady and Belichick for being good at their jobs I have no love for the Patriots at all, but this is absurd.

[Fungi]

You said it better than I did.

[VideoDoctor]

Brady has the right to appeal. His lawyer has already announced they will file an appeal with the NFL.

I would suggest the suspension part all CHANGES in a few months AFTER the appeal stage.