Tom Brady's 'Deflategate' punishment could be minor

Despite Wells report implications, Tom Brady’s punishment from the NFL could be minor.

How hard will the NFL come down on it’s proverbial Golden Boy? That’s what everyone around the leave wants to know.

Following yesterday’s release of the Wells report, an independent investigation into the New England Patriots purposefully deflating footballs, everyone is wondering what punishment quarterback Tom Brady will face. The report found that it is “more probable than not” that Brady was “at least generally aware” of the ball deflation tactics conducted by two Patriot employees prior to the AFC Championship Game. And, if you read the report (specifically the text messages within), it appears as though Brady was privy to the deflation tactics.

While the phrase “more probable than not” might not sound convincing to the average fan, that wording is very important when it comes to punishing Brady.

"Hate to pour poop on the pats fans parade but “more probable than not” is in the report for a reason. It’s the actual NFL threshold to be able to discipline. Read footnote #1Posted by Brian Cuban on Wednesday, May 6, 2015"

So what, exactly, should the NFL do about it? Well if you ask Patriots fans (which I do not recommend) the league should do nothing. This scandal, they ascertain, is a minor violation that Brady was blithely unaware of. Other parties, however, believe that the penalty for Brady and the Patriots should include suspension, loss of draft picks, fines, or some combination of the three.

Unfortunately for rule sticklers and Patriot haters, it appears as though the NFL’s punishment may not be as dramatic as people speculated when the report was initially released.

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Now, the Wells report does not prove Brady’s involvement beyond a reasonable doubt, but this is not a court of law. What the report does is provide a strong case – albeit circumstantial – that the team knowingly, intentionally deflated footballs and Brady knew about it. Circumstantial cases have sent people to prison, it should be enough to sideline Brady for a game of two.

There has to be some accountability here.

There is a precedent for this type of punishment. In the past few years, multiple individual cheating penalties have been handed down by the NFL. Following the Saints’ “Bountygate” scandal, head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season, while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams received an indefinite suspension. There is even a precedent within the Patriots organization. In 2007, head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 for his role in illegally taping opponents’ practice sessions to gain a competitive advantage.

Though Brady is not inextricably tied to the crime, he was “at least generally aware.” The NFL has to be careful here, and it’s unlikely they will come down on Brady with a strict punishment. Somewhere between Bill Belichick’s punishment and Sean Payton’s punishment is where Brady’s should land.

The league should be coming down with a ruling sooner rather than later. Regardless of the penalty – whether light or heavy-handed – there will be some upset people.

For what it’s worth, Brady’s Dad totally thinks he’s innocent.

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Tom Brady’s ‘Deflategate’ punishment could be minor

By Alexandra Huber | May 7, 2015

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