In one of the weirder disciplinary cases in sport, the NFL yesterday upheld the four-game suspension for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after he was found guilty of tampering with the balls during last season's playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.
In the fiasco more popularly known as "deflate-gate" Brady was given a four-match suspension, which he immediately appealed. It took just four weeks for the NFL to deliberate over Brady's appeal, but the result came down yesterday and didn't reduce his suspension.
Brady took to facebook today to express his dismay the the NFL's finding, and his lengthy and in depth statement makes it sound like this isn't over. Brady confirmed that there were settlement talks in place with the NFL, for what he says was to "avoid going to court and put this inconsequential issue behind us".
You can read the full statement that Brady posted on his facebook here, but for now it's time for Jimmy Garropolo to steer the Superbowl champions through their first four games of the year.
I am very disappointed by the NFL’s decision to uphold the 4 game suspension against me. I did nothing wrong, and no one...
Posted by Tom Brady on Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Did you ever think that there would be this much hassle over a deflated football?
Patriots owner Robert Kraft also spoke to the media over his response to the decision, and that was even more fierce and stern:
“The decision handed down by the league is unfathomable to me” - Bob Kraft
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) July 29, 2015
Kraft: “6 months removed from AFC Championship game, league still has no hard evidence of anybody doing anything to tamper with PSI levels."
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) July 29, 2015
Kraft on NFL investigation: "This was never about doing what was fair and just." Says he regrets not taking league to court. Wow.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) July 29, 2015
