New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be suspended for four games for his role in the Patriots playing with underinflated footballs last season.
In addition, the Patriots organization will forfeit their first-round draft pick in the 2016, their fourth-round draft pick in 2017 and have been find one million dollars.
The Patriots have also indefinitely suspended employees John Jastremski and James McNally without pay.
Brady will be allowed to participate in off-season and pre-season activities including pre-season games. His four-game suspension will begin with the NFL’s 2015 season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Running backs Le’Veon Bell of the Steelers and LeGarrette Blount of the Patriots have already been suspended for that game for their marijuana-related arrest in Pittsburgh last year.
The Patriots have a bye week in Week 4, so Brady will be eligible to return for the Patriots’ nationally televised game during Week 6 in Indianapolis.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell estimates that Brady’s suspension will cost him over $1.8 million in forfeited salary.
Brady makes $470,588 a week next season. Four-game suspension will cost him $1,882,353.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 11, 2015
Brady will likely be replaced by the Patriots’ 2014 second-round draft pick, Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo, who played collegiately at Eastern Illinois, played in six games in 2014, throwing for 182 yards and one touchdown.
First-year pro Garret Gilbert out of Southern Methodist is the only other quarterback on the New England roster.
The Steelers and Patriots will kick off the 2015 NFL season at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10 from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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