New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has finally served his four-game suspension for the infamous “Deflategate” incident.
It had been a monthlong wait filled with anticipation for Brady to just get back on the gridiron.
“It’s been a long four weeks for me, but I’m excited to get started on my preparation for Cleveland,” Brady said on the Westwood One radio show. I’m anxious for the week ahead. I want to get back out on the practice field. This is what I love to do, and now I have an opportunity to do it.”
Brady spent a great deal of time doing all sorts of fun things relating to football while he was off of the field. He played catch with his supermodel wife, discovered how awesome NFL RedZone is and he may have even prank-called a radio show.
Brady’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Patriots, with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett struggling in New England’s 16-0 loss Sunday to the Buffalo Bills. But this will be Brady’s first game since Jan. 24, and rust may be expected.
“I’m going to take it day to day,” Brady said. “I haven’t played in four weeks. My teammates have been working their butts off, and that’s what they expect of me. I’ll take the days as they come. I’ll certainly need the practices to try to get on the [same] page as all the guys who have been practicing the last four weeks. But I’m really looking forward to it.”
The NFL Players Association announced that they will no longer take any sort of legal action regarding Brady’s Deflategate issue, in which Brady and the Patriots were accused of deflating footballs against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2015 AFC championship game.
After many twists and turns regarding suspensions, ongoing legality issues and just general drama, Brady is ready to just let it go.
“I’m not really looking to reflect at this point,” he said. “I put that in the rearview mirror when I decided a while ago [to not appeal]. I’m looking forward to playing and doing what I love to do and being out there with my teammates, who have done such a great job. And I want to do a great job for them.
“I’m just focused on the present, focused on this week, and that’s what I’m going to be all season,” Brady said. “It’s certainly all in the past, and hopefully it serves me well this week.”
• Tommy Chalk can be reached at tchalk@washingtontimes.com.
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