A 103-day investigation by the NFL and a 243-page report produced a four-game suspension for quarterback Tom Brady for his role in the deflation of footballs during the New England Patriots’ AFC championship game victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The judgment caught Broncos cornerback Chris Harris off guard Monday. Like many players, he remained skeptical the NFL would punish the face of the NFL and the reigning Super Bowl champions.
“Wow,” Harris said. “I think it’s fair. But he will probably fight it.”
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Brady’s agent, Don Yee, issued a statement Monday saying Brady would appeal the suspension. Yee called the ruling “ridiculous … and with no legitimate basis.”
The Patriots were fined $1 million and lost a first-round pick in the 2016 draft plus a a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft. The team fine set an NFL record, breaking the $950,000 that Denver was docked for committing salary cap violations from 1996-98.
Former Broncos stars Shannon Sharpe, a Hall of Fame tight end, and Mark Schlereth, a Pro Bowl guard, weighed in on New England’s punishment. Last week, Sharpe called for Brady to be suspended.
“Exactly what I thought,” Sharpe tweeted.
Added Schlereth: “NFL dropping the hammer on Tom Brady and the Patriots! Just like all parents say the punishment is going to be far worse if you lie to me!”
Las Vegas reacted quickly to Brady’s suspension, changing the Patriots from a six-point to a one-point favorite for their season opener. The suspension could impact the standings, with the Broncos and Patriots annually fighting for AFC supremacy. But the Patriots started last season 0-2 and won their fourth NFL championship in 14 seasons. The league is not removing their latest crown.
“I just feel bad for the Colts that day (in the AFC title game). Basically the other team had an upper hand,” said former Denver defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. “But you can’t redo it.”
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Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
