Tom Brady (Photo : Facebook)
New England Patriot's secret use of under-inflated footballs in the previous season resulted to $1 million fine ad suspension of star player Tom Brady as punishment.
The National Football League suspended the quarterback without compensation for the upcoming season's first four games. Aside from this, the Patriots will be fined $1 million and will be stripped off from the draft pick's first rounds in 2016 and 2017, respectively, according to Washington Post.
The League said that Brady is suspended for a detrimental conduct that has affected the integrity of not only its team, but the individuals that compose the league, as well. On top of its deflation issue, their refusal to cooperate with the investigation added weight to the case.
The punishment and the fine are the biggest forms of punishment ever to be given against a team, at least in the NFL.
Roger Goodell, the commissioner, said "We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others."
"We only relied on all of the vital importance of protecting not only the integrity of our games, but also the independence and thoroughness of the Wells report," Goodell added.
Jimmy Garoppolo will replace Brady, ESPN revealed. Garoppolo is a second-round 2014 selection from the Eastern Illinois who won the FCS best player in the Walter Payton Award.
The punishment was given five days after Well's lengthy report, which revealed that the personnel of Patriots deflated footballs deliberately before the Jan. 18 AFC Championship Game. According to the report, Brady was aware of the violation.
