Tom Brady has made it official: He will sit out the New England Patriots’ first four games next season.
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The New England Patriots quarterback no longer will proceed with the legal process and will serve a four-game suspension for his role in the use of deflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Colts on January 18, 2015. Past year was a nightmare of injuries, and with a healthy team they may be able to hold their own through their first four games without Tom Brady.
The NFL-commissioned investigation was conducted by attorney Ted Wells, who concluded it was “more probable than not” that Brady was “generally aware” of Patriots attendants deflating footballs prior to the AFC Championship Game.
Brady is eligible to return in Week 5, when New England visits the Cleveland Browns. With nowhere to go but up – in the legal system, that is – Brady’s only real option remaining was to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The union that represents National Football League players said it supported Brady’s decision.
“After careful consideration and discussion with Tom Brady, the NFLPA will not be seeking a stay of the four-game suspension with the 2nd Circuit”, the NFLPA said in a statement Friday.
In a statement, Patriots owner Robert Kraft showed his support for his star quarterback.
Cassel’s displays led to the Patriots being able to trade him – and linebacker Mike Vrabel – to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round pick in the 2009 draft. “That support extends throughout our organization and has only grown more steadfast as the preponderance of scientific evidence has exonerated Tom”.
Fans in Beantown will spend a month in mourning, but those in Phoenix, Miami, Houston, and Buffalo will be delighted.
It will take some time for the disappointment and the anger to fade in New England, but providing Garoppolo can make the most of a relatively straightforward opening slate of games, the Patriots will have the flexibility to make a trade or have a succession plan in place for Brady.
After nearly two years of back and forth, one of the most talked about controversies in sports is over. His renegotiated deal deferred $8 million of his 2016 salary.
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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch was suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, the team and league announced.
