We’re on to life after Deflategate.
That is the consensus among New England Patriots fans from eastern Maine after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York on Monday reversed a federal judge’s ruling and reinstated the National Football League’s four-game suspension of quarterback Tom Brady for his role in “Deflategate.”
“It is time for Tom to move on from this,” said Patriots fan Chris Lessner of Bangor, who writes for Eastern Maine Sports Blog. “Obviously [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell got what he wanted to have Tom suspended. This has gone on way too long and even though it stinks as a Patriots fan, I am ready to just have him serve this and move on.”
Other NFL fans, including Buffalo native Chris Hill, a former employee of the University of Maine athletics department, applauded the decision.
“I love it,” said Hill, a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan who, like many NFL aficionados, has developed a disdain for the Patriots.
The NFL initially ruled that Brady had played some role in, or had knowledge of, air being let out of game balls for New England’s AFC Championship win over Indianapolis on Jan. 18, 2015.
The league questioned Brady’s conduct and unwillingness to assist the NFL investigation, during which he admitted getting rid of a cellphone that may have contained incriminating text messages with employees who also were implicated.
“Any way you cut it, destroying his cellphone was not a good look,” said Winterport native Larry Rogers, who now lives in Chicago. “I really think that’s what ultimately did him in. Do your time Tom, move on.”
To many, that act was evidence that Brady was involved in wrongdoing.
“The reason Brady is being punished is for his lack of cooperation with the investigation,” offered Matthew Libby of Old Town. “League officials offered Brady to have his own lawyer extract the cellphone correspondence from Brady’s phone so that no personal info would become public. Brady still refused to cooperate. He deserves the suspension.”
The NFL eventually handed down a four-game suspension for Brady, fined the Patriots $1 million and stripped the organization of a 2016 first-round draft pick and a fourth-round choice in 2017.
However, last September district judge Richard M. Berman vacated the suspension, which allowed Brady to play during the 2015-2016 season.
That decision brought a collective sigh of relief from the Patriots faithful, who argued that the NFL had been unable to prove that air was let out of the footballs, or that Brady was complicit in the alleged deflations.
Ultimately, it didn’t have to prove it. Nor was that the issue considered by the appeals court.
Instead, the appellate judges appear to be reaffirming that Goodell acted within the parameters of the NFL’s contractual agreement with the NFL Players Association.
“This was always about the CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement] and not science or evidence,” said longtime Bangor radio personality George Hale of Orrington. “Goodell said he had power under the agreement and the court agreed.”
“Unfortunate,” is how Aaron Jackson, co-host of “The Drive” on 92.9 The Ticket in Brewer, referred to the decision.
“If the NFLPA agreed to said system, which they did, then they have to be held to it whether or not it’s actually a system that works. I think that’s probably up for debate,” Jackson added.
Even though most Patriots fans are not well-versed in the law, they have come to understand through Deflategate that maintaining one’s allegiance to a team can sometimes mean dealing with the team’s shortcomings.
“The proceedings had nothing to do with Brady’s guilt or innocence. It was all based on the application of powers granted to the commissioner in the CBA,” said Pat Spekhardt of Bangor. “While they may be absurdly out-of-whack with traditional systems of arbitration, the court ruled they don’t violate labor laws [nor did Goodell misuse them]. Based on that, there’s no argument.”
Brady’s alleged actions aside, fans not only of the Patriots but of the NFL in general have come to realize that it might be time for change in regard to how much power the commissioner has in determining rules violations and imposing punishment.
“There’s a reason a movement has started trying to reign in these specific powers. Until that happens, he is judge, jury and executioner,” Spekhardt added.
It appears as though Brady’s options for appealing the decision of the appeals court are limited. With the likelihood of the suspension being enacted in September, Pats fans are eagerly looking forward.
Both Lessner and Spekhardt predicted at worst a 3-1 start for New England with Jimmy Garoppolo or another quarterback directing the offense for the first month of the season.
That doesn’t mean some fans, including UMaine football special teams coach Nick Charlton, won’t feel a little cheated with Brady sanctioned.
He agrees that legal details notwithstanding, “As a Salem, Massachusetts, native though, it would be a shame to not see the best QB of our generation play.”
Regardless, most Pats fans are ready to move on.
“I’m ready for it to be over,” said Jackson, who envisions a 2-2 start without Brady. “Just take the four games [suspension]. They’ll still make the playoffs, they’ll get to showcase Garoppolo a little bit. It might be a good thing.”