Brady, Patriots hit hard by NFL in wake of "Deflategate" controversy

The New England Patriots will have to start the defence of their Super Bowl Championship title in September 2015 without their star quarterback Tom Brady.

In the wake of the 'Deflategate" controversy, where the NFL has found probable cause pointing to the Patriots football organisation intentionally 'deflating' the footballs for the AFC Championship match against the Indianapolis Colts in January 2015, The New England Patriots have been fined US$1 million for the alleged transgression; Tom Brady has been suspended for four games without pay; and the Patriots have been docked their first round draft pick for 2016 and a fourth round pick in 2017.

Also, the Patriots cannot trade or otherwise encumber the docked first round pick for 2016.

The Patriots owner Robert Kraft had announced that the gentlemen allegedly involved in deflating the footballs, have been suspended, and they cannot be reinstated without the permission of the NFL. In addition they are not allowed to touch or otherwise be involved with gameball preparation upon their return without the blessing of the NFL.

Brady was accused of instructing the men responsible for preparing the gameballs, to deflate them to his liking for the AFC Championship game. The problem is the NFL has a high and low threshold for the amount of air inside a gameball, which the Patriots were found to be in violation of. The matter was brought to light by the Colts football team which complained about the feel of the footballs during the AFC Championship game.

Brady is expected to appeal the 4-match suspension citing an unfair hearing. The Wells Report regarding the investigation conducted by the NFL, noted critically Brady's non cooperation with the investigators by refusing to hand over his cellphone which was requested for the investigation.

If the 4 match suspension is upheld on appeal, Brady is expected to return in October in  week-5 of the Patriots schedule against, guess who, the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots have a bye during Brady's suspension.

Tom Brady is regarded as one of, if not the greatest quarterback to play the game. He is the first player to play in six Superbowls, winning four and losing the other two to the New York Giants. Brady has been named MVP in the Super Bowl three times, and along with Joe Montana who has also won four Super Bowls, they are regarded as the two leading signal callers to ever play the game.