Patriots fans continue to rally around their beloved Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots after the NFL came down hard on Brady and the team with four suspensions, the loss of two draft picks, and a one million dollar fine for the team, as a result of the so-called, "deflategate.”
While some Patriots fans are suggesting the nation, as a whole, dislikes the team because of all its success, many fans are publicly saying the punishment against the team is too harsh, even IF the team violated the rules. In other words, the punishment doesn't fit the violation. Brady’s agent says they’ll appeal.
Amy Lawrence, host of “After Hours with Amy Lawrence on CBS Sports Radio” tells WGBH Morning Edition host Bob Seay, Patriot fans who called her overnight radio program admit that they think there should be a punishment in this case, but not as harsh as was delivered over what many term a trivial issue of under inflating footballs. Outside of New England…football fans are debating and analyzing the punishment that came down following the release of the Wells report, which investigated whether the team deflated some footballs during the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts. The report concluded it is "more probable than not" that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules. Seay spoke with Lawrence about many of the issues that are being raised in light of the punishment and how it compares to previous team and player violations.
Lawrence speculates on the outcome of the appeal:
"The four-game suspension imposed against Brady will possibly be knocked down in half…to a two game suspension."
Lawrence says other football franchises believe it’s a fair punishment:
“This is the second time in eight years that the Patriots, as an organization, not the same people but the same organization, have been cited for violated the integrity of the game policy and no other team out there has been cited twice in eight years, or have won four Super Bowl rings in the last 13 seasons."
Lawrence on whether Brady/Patriots broke the rules:
"There was circumstantial evidence indicating some guilt in regard to deflating the footballs that doesn’t add up. Many say the Patriots were issued what was coming to them for trying to circumvent the rules, but many Patriot fans don’t want to believe that their quarterback would tamper with footballs."
Lawrence on Team Owner Bob Kraft's reaction:
"The Wells report did exonerate Team Owner Bob Kraft and Patriots Coach Bill Belichick from knowing anything about the deflated footballs, but it will be Kraft who will have to write out the one-million dollar check to pay the fine. Kraft and Brady are close and have a strong relationship, and he believes in Tom (Brady) and will stand-up for him."
Lawrence on evidence of rule violations:
"People don’t understand why Tom Brady can’t explain about the text messages and emails and why he lied to NFL if he didn’t’ have to, if he’s innocent. He lied about knowing Jim McNally, (the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots) and things didn’t add up. While there’s no smoking gun, and it’s circumstantial, Kraft did say he’ll accept the fine the NFL issues."
Lawrence on Deflategate and the similarities to Watergate and cover-ups:
"The NFL views the Patriots as repeat offenders, and therefore the crackdown against them is tougher. Also, the lying and lack of cooperation from Tom Brady, who wouldn’t turn over his cell phone texts and his emails and then lastly, the fact that the Patriots wouldn’t allow Jim McNally to re-interview again to help clear things up."
To listen to the entire interview with Amy Lawrence and WGBH Morning Edition host Bob Seay click on the audio link above.
