Tom Brady Suspended 4 games, Pats forfeit 2016 1st rounder and 2017 4th rounder

[JN QB]

Imagine how big the fine and suspension would have been if Kraft wasn't the assistant commissioner.  

  

Guessing this wasn't the apology Kraft expected from the league to the Pats and their fans.

Funny, after Max posted that I was going to say part of the penalty should have been for Kraft to issue an apology to the League!

[bealeb319]

If he tried to appeal this will the NFL be given access to Bradys cell phone? If they would I imagine he just takes this one on the chin and sits his games out, could be worse for him if they got their hands on his phone.

[The Crusher]

[Klecko73isGod]

[southparkcpa]

Max's mailbag disagrees with you.

So we are no different that Patsfans.com who ban you at the drop of a hat????

TEX is a bit of a doosh but aren't all PATS fans???

[Cyberjet]

Sorry guys - not strong enough. Minimum 8 games. Should NOT let him participate in preseason plus the 1st rounder. Screw the $1 million. The 2 ball boys are suspended indefinitely and immediately without pay. That should have been Brady's penalty ( minimum 8 games)

[Ghost]

Wow!!

-Brady out for the first 4 games.

-Tarnished legacy

-1st round pick (2016)

- 4th round pick (2017), although this does not necessary look like a high pick. It allows the league and the fans to hold on to this story until 2017. This will be a constant reminder to everyone.

As for the appeal, I do not think Brady will win. Whoever is in charge of the appeal will ask for the same electronics that Wells asked for. If he fails to give him those electronics, he will have a very tough chance of winning the appeal.

[chirorob]

How does the fine work? Where does the money go?

 

NFL's biggest charity.  It's where all fine money goes.

[Vinny16]

Can you imagine if this was Rex, Sanchez and our 2010 squad? If we had been caught cheating during our playoff run.... Just getting to the AFCG, not even the Super Bowl????

Dude, Sanchez would have been out a year, Rex out a year, at least 2 first rounders .... and a huge fine.

This is a joke, and sadly not a surprise.

 

Absolutely correct.

 

If this had happened to any other team, the punishments would have been infinitely more severe.  We already got a taste of that with the Saints penalties, as Payton's "ignorance" was enough to cost him an entire season whereas Belicheat's "ignorance" doesn't even get him a stern word spoken in his direction.  It's absolutely shameful, yet expected from this "commissioner".  

[Larz]

so TX visited my profile last night

 

eww

 

 

can 5 people just clink on my name so I don't have to see his avatar when I look at my profile  ?  lol

 

txs

[faba]

His agent is defiant will appeal- that 4 games better hold up at least

[Ken Schroy]

It better not be reduced.

[CanadienJetsFan]

Barbapapa.... in lovin it!

[SickJetFan]

What are they expecting to find on his phone???? There may be electronic records available regarding texts or calls, but it was 6 months ago. I'm sure there's nothing actually on his phone.

Its not really on his phone but rather he must give perm to phone company to turn over records I believe

[Larz]

His agent is defiant will appeal- that 4 games better hold up at least

 

which is why it was pretty stupid to accuse goodell and the league of conspiring against his lying sack of sh*t client

[Tinstar]

You mean a slap on the wrist?

That is what I meant, but what I wrote might be more correct.

[Larz]

5/11

[Ken Schroy]

Maybe 7-9. If Jimmy G. doesn't pee in his pants. LOLOL

[dbatesman]

Yuk it up. This dour killjoy denied us an epic meltdown.

+1

I move that TX be reinstated immediately.

[BaumerJet]

Ok Kids, here's the whole release from the NFL offices - along with Troy Vincent's letter to Brady:

 

NFL Statement On Discipline Imposed On New England Patriots For Violating NFL Policy On Integrity Of Game 05/11/2015

 

            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

5/11/15

http://www.twitter.com/NFL345

 

NFL STATEMENT ON DISCIPLINE IMPOSED ON NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FOR VIOLATING NFL POLICY ON INTEGRITY OF GAME

 

            The New England Patriots were notified today of the following discipline that has been imposed for violations of the NFL Policy on Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules relating to the use of under-inflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game of this past season:

 

            For the violation of the playing rules and the failure to cooperate in the subsequent investigation, the New England Patriots are fined $1 million and will forfeit the club’s first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and the club’s fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.  If the Patriots have more than one selection in either of these rounds, the earlier selection shall be forfeited.  The club may not trade or otherwise encumber these selections.

 

            Patriots owner Robert Kraft advised Commissioner Roger Goodell last week that Patriots employees John Jastremski and James McNally have been indefinitely suspended without pay by the club, effective on May 6^th. Neither of these individuals may be reinstated without the prior approval of NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. If they are reinstated by the Patriots, Jastremski is prohibited from having any role in the preparation, supervision, or handling of footballs to be used in NFL games during the 2015 season. McNally is barred from serving as a locker room attendant for the game officials, or having any involvement with the preparation, supervision, or handling of footballs or any other equipment on game day.  

 

            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. Brady may participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games.

 

            Commissioner Goodell authorized the discipline that was imposed by NFL Executive President Troy Vincent, pursuant to the commissioner’s disciplinary authority under the NFL Constitution and Bylaws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association.   

          

            “We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others,” Commissioner Goodell said. “We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report.”

               

            Following are excerpts from Troy Vincent’s letters to the Patriots and Tom Brady:

 

            From Troy Vincent’s letter to the Patriots:

           

             “On May 6^th, independent investigator Ted Wells issued his report regarding the footballs used by the Patriots in this year’s AFC Championship Game. That report established that the footballs used by the Patriots were inflated at a level that did not satisfy the standard set forth in the NFL’s Official Playing Rules and that the condition of the footballs was the result of deliberate actions by employees of the Patriots. The activities of the Patriots’ employees were thoroughly documented in the report, including through a series of text messages and telephone communications, as well as evidence of a breach in pre-game protocol. In addition, the conclusions were supported by extensive scientific analysis, as detailed in the report.

           

            “Based on the extensive record developed in the investigation and detailed in the Wells report, and after full consideration of this matter by the Commissioner and the Football Operations department, we have determined that the Patriots have violated the NFL's Policy on Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules, as well as the Official Playing Rules and the established guidelines for the preparation of game footballs set forth in the NFL’s Game Operations Policy Manual for Member Clubs.  In making this determination, we have accepted the findings contained in the comprehensive report independently prepared by Mr. Wells and his colleagues. 

 

“In determining that a violation occurred, we applied the standard of proof stated in the Integrity of the Game Policy: namely, preponderance of the evidence, meaning that ‘as a whole, the fact sought to be proved is more probable than not.’ This is a well-recognized legal standard, which is applied in courts and workplaces every day throughout the country.  The evidence gathered during the investigation and reviewed in the report more than satisfy this standard and demonstrate an ongoing plan by at least certain Patriots’ employees to deflate footballs, to do so in a secretive manner after the game officials have certified the footballs as suitable for play, and to hide these activities even from their own supervisors.

           

             “As you know, we regard violations of competitive rules as significant and deserving of a strong sanction, both to punish the actual violation and to deter misconduct in the future. In this case, the footballs were intentionally deflated in an effort to provide a competitive advantage to Tom Brady after having been certified by the game officials as being in compliance with the playing rules. While we cannot be certain when the activity began, the evidence suggests that January 18^th was not the first and only occasion when this occurred, particularly in light of the evidence referring to deflation of footballs going back to before the beginning of the 2014 season.

            

             “It is impossible to determine whether this activity had an effect on the outcome of games or what that effect was. There seems little question that the outcome of the AFC Championship Game was not affected.  But this has never been a significant factor in assessing discipline. There are many factors which affect the outcome of a game. It is an inherently speculative exercise to try to assign specific weight to any one factor. The key consideration in any case like this is that the playing rules exist for a reason, and all clubs are entitled to expect that the playing rules will be followed by participating teams. Violations that diminish the league's reputation for integrity and fair play cannot be excused simply because the precise impact on the final score cannot be determined.

 

“Here, there are several factors that merit strong consideration in assessing discipline. The first is the club’s prior record. In 2007 the club and several individuals were sanctioned for videotaping signals of opposing defensive coaches in violation of the Constitution and Bylaws. Under the Integrity of the Game Policy, this prior violation of competitive rules was properly considered in determining the discipline in this case.

           

            “Another important consideration identified in the Policy is ‘the extent to which the club and relevant individuals cooperated with the investigation.’ The Wells report identifies two significant failures in this respect. The first involves the refusal by the club’s attorneys to make Mr. McNally available for an additional interview, despite numerous requests by Mr. Wells and a cautionary note in writing of the club’s obligation to cooperate in the investigation. The second was the failure of Tom Brady to produce any electronic evidence (emails, texts, etc.), despite being offered extraordinary safeguards by the investigators to protect unrelated personal information. Although we do not hold the club directly responsible for Mr. Brady’s refusal to cooperate, it remains significant that the quarterback of the team failed to cooperate fully with the investigation.

           

            “Finally, it is significant that key witnesses – Mr. Brady, Mr. Jastremski, and Mr. McNally - were not fully candid during the investigation.

           

             “In accepting the findings of the report, we note that the report identified no evidence of wrongdoing or knowledge of wrongdoing on the part of any member of the coaching staff, including Head Coach Bill Belichick, or by any Patriots’ staff member other than Mr. Jastremski and Mr. McNally, including head equipment manager Dave Schoenfeld. Similarly, the Wells report is clear that Patriots ownership and executives did not participate in any way in the misconduct, or have knowledge of the misconduct.

 

            “Nonetheless, it remains a fundamental principle that the club is responsible for the actions of club employees. This principle has been applied to many prior cases. Thus, while no discipline should or will be imposed personally on any owner or executive at the Patriots, discipline is appropriately imposed on the club.”

 

            From Troy Vincent’s letter to Tom Brady:

 

            “With respect to your particular involvement, the report established that there is substantial and credible evidence to conclude you were at least generally aware of the actions of the Patriots’ employees involved in the deflation of the footballs and that it was unlikely that their actions were done without your knowledge. Moreover, the report documents your failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation, including by refusing to produce any relevant electronic evidence (emails, texts, etc.), despite being offered extraordinary safeguards by the investigators to protect unrelated personal information, and by providing testimony that the report concludes was not plausible and contradicted by other evidence.

 

            “Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football.  The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to everyone in our league, and requires unshakable commitment to fairness and compliance with the playing rules. Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and must be held accountable for his actions when those rules are violated and the public’s confidence in the game is called into question.”

 

###

[Ken Schroy]

After reading the statement his agent just released, and listening to the NFL Network spin this punishment as being "so severe" and the NFL " dropping the hammer" on the Pats, I believe this is all part of the NFl's attempt to look tough. But, without concrete evidence I think they will gladly let him appeal and remove the suspension all together.

I can't see one of the biggest games of the year, the season kickoff, with the world champs raising their banner getting soiled with Brady sitting out. It will destroy the ratings, which means less $$$, which means it won't happen.

Mark my words

Ahhh. No. I don't think so. The NFL brand is hurting. They needed to put the hammer down. Or at least have that perception.

[SMC]

The funniest guy in all this is Brady ' s agent Don Yee. He's like Babdad Bob. The Pats get away with everything but he tells his client not to cooperate because the outcome is "predetermined" What a bunch of nonsense.

I disagree that the suspension will be lowered. The lack of cooperation kills Brady on an appeal, especially if there is an independent arbitrator.

[chirorob]

After reading the statement his agent just released, and listening to the NFL Network spin this punishment as being "so severe" and the NFL " dropping the hammer" on the Pats, I believe this is all part of the NFl's attempt to look tough. But, without concrete evidence I think they will gladly let him appeal and remove the suspension all together.

I can't see one of the biggest games of the year, the season kickoff, with the world champs raising their banner getting soiled with Brady sitting out. It will destroy the ratings, which means less $$$, which means it won't happen.

Mark my words

 

I think it will increase ratings, as millions more tune in to watch the Pats play without Brady.

 

The Outrage!!

 

The other NFL team with a QB who was suspended!

 

The intrigue of who starts!!

[Vinny16]

Ahhh. No. I don't think so. The NFL brand is hurting. They needed to put the hammer down. Or at least have that perception.

 

If they wanted to have that perception, then they should have actually put the hammer down on them or given the franchise something more than this disgraceful slap on the wrist.  

 

I do agree, though, that the NFL brand is hurting.  We have a commissioner who only acts when the public forces him to.  Ray Rice would have gotten only a two game suspension for punching his wife in the face had the public not justly reacted to the idiocy of the original punishment.  Now the Pats* are getting slapped on the wrist for a second major cheating scandal in a decade.  Unbelievable.

[The Crusher]

I think it will increase ratings, as millions more tune in to watch the Pats play without Brady.

 

The Outrage!!

 

The other NFL team with a QB who was suspended!

 

The intrigue of who starts!!

Especially with the supposed heir apparent already on the team.  

[faba]

After reading the statement his agent just released, and listening to the NFL Network spin this punishment as being "so severe" and the NFL " dropping the hammer" on the Pats, I believe this is all part of the NFl's attempt to look tough. But, without concrete evidence I think they will gladly let him appeal and remove the suspension all together.

I can't see one of the biggest games of the year, the season kickoff, with the world champs raising their banner getting soiled with Brady sitting out. It will destroy the ratings, which means less $$$, which means it won't happen.

Mark my words

No way there is no suspension - I just worry that it will get reduced. The ratings will be sky high because of this for any of their games

[Jolot]

Looks like Jastremski already landed a gig doing overnight on wfan, good to see he landed on his feet.

[Ken Schroy]

I can't wait for Mumbles to hold his 1st presser. That will be priceless.

[St Louie Jet Fan]

Anyone know how much it would cost to hire a plane to fly a "CHEATERS" banner over Foxboro when the pats**** raise the Super Bowl banner on the Thursday vs the Steelers?

[JustInFudge]

Start the next season at 0-0 like every other ******* team in the league at the begining of every ******* year?

 

Deep breaths, MT, deep breaths. haha

[pdxgreen]

In the words of Eric Cartman: Let me taste your tears Tom. Ummmm, the tears of unfathomable sadness are so yummy, you guys!

[faba]

Statement from Tom Brady's agent, Don Yee:

“The discipline is ridiculous and has no legitimate basis. In my opinion, this outcome was pre-determined; there was no fairness in the Wells investigation whatsoever. 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 qu...estion presented to him. The Wells Report presents significant evidence, however, that the NFL lacks standards or protocols with respect to its handling of footballs prior to games; this is not the fault of Tom or the Patriots. The report also presents significant evidence the NFL participated with the Colts in some type of pre-AFC Championship Game planning regarding the footballs. This fact may raise serious questions about the integrity of the games we view on Sundays. We will appeal, and if the hearing officer is completely independent and neutral, I am very confident the Wells Report will be exposed as an incredibly frail exercise in fact-finding and logic. The NFL has a well-documented history of making poor disciplinary decisions that often are overturned when truly independent and neutral judges or arbitrators preside, and a former federal judge has found the commissioner has abused his discretion in the past, so this outcome does not surprise me. Sadly, today’s decision diminishes the NFL as it tells its fans, players and coaches that the games on the field don’t count as much as the games played on Park Avenue.”

[BaumerJet]

Its not really on his phone but rather he must give perm to phone company to turn over records I believe

Quite Correct and it's a great lesson to those of you who like "sexting."p

 

There is no statute of limitation on the length that you carrier has in recording you text messages.  In other words - every statement, photo and verbal text produced remains on the cloud in a back up file indefinitely.  You only get to remove texts from your personal storage on the phone. 

 

In other words - if there is more than just talk of "deflategate," any reference by the Patriots, along with Brady would be viewable to the NFL offices.  Which is why they went after him on circumstantial claims because he made himself guilty by suspicion because he would not disclose the information...

[56mehl56]

Anyone?

Aaron Hernandez defense fund ??

[drdetroit]

Who?

He'll be back in 2 hrs as Bradysb1tch or Iluvbradyskok