Tom Brady is not respecting the shield

Colin Kaepernick may not be the only high-profile quarterback staging a protest. Tom Brady may be making a statement of his own.

Tom Brady will not play in the New England Patriots’ first four games this season. After what seems like a 36-month witch hunt, Brady is suspended for maybe deflating footballs and then not giving NFL Commissioner/Czar of Punishment Roger Goodell his cell phone in a timely manner. Tom Terrific is feeling a little heated towards “The Shield,” and rightfully so.

While Brady will not continue appealing his suspension all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, he appears to be making his own personal form of protest against the league. Let’s call it “Shieldgate.”

Here’s Brady as he warms up prior to the Patriots final preseason game of the year. The NFL shield that is typically found on the bottom-left side of the helmet is missing.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up before a preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Was this a one-time thing? Or maybe the whole team plays without shields in their preseason games? The evidence would suggest this is no mistake.

CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline in the 3rd quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Nope. Still no shield.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 01:Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots breaks up a pass intended for Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants during their preseason game at MetLife Stadium on September 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Here’s Malcolm Butler — with the shield. Victor Cruz also has the shield, barely visible from this angle.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks for an open man as Kerry Wynn #72 of the New York Giants covers during their preseason game at MetLife Stadium on September 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Here’s Brady in the pocket, with plenty of shields visible all around him.

CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 26: Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots and Jonathan Cooper #65 of the New England Patriots uring their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Again, two Patriots players shielded up in a preseason game.

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Tom Brady should expect a hefty fine any day now. The NFL takes its uniformity seriously. Any personal protest expressed through uniform modification is a mortal sin, made even worse when the shield is desecrated. Then again, it’s Brady, and the league may just let this one slide. It’s not a huge gesture from Brady, but rest assured, his point will be made.

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