The New England Patriots have won four Super Bowls, in part, because they’ve done a good job of ensuring that Tom Brady was well protected.
But even the game’s most accomplished quarterback had to know the NFL couldn’t shield him from harsh consequences for Deflategate. Not after investigator Ted Wells concluded Brady was “generally aware” that two equipment staffers deflated footballs in the 45-7 AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts, all designed to gain a competitive advantage.
The league came down hard Monday on Brady, suspending him four games without pay to start the 2015 season, including a Week 3 home game against the Jaguars.