NEW YORK — Embattled National Football League franchise the New England Patriots have responded to the controversial punishment levied in response to Deflategate, a scandal involving the systematic deflating of regulation footballs to lower-than-permitted levels, with an incredibly meaningful statement and show of support, according to one NFL insider.
The NFL fined the Patriots $1 million and stripped the club of a first round draft pick in 2016 and a fourth round pick in 2017 for its role in fostering an environment where low-level employees were able to deflate footballs in contravention of NFL policy. The NFL also suspended star quarterback Tom Brady for four games. In response, the New England Patriots Twitter account switched its avatar to a picture of a New England Patriots jersey with Tom Brady’s name and number on it. The decision to switch the avatar, in response to what owner Robert Kraft described as punishment that “far exceeded any reasonable expectation,” is a clear signal that the Patriots stand behind their quarterback and, as NFL insider Ian Rapoport said on the very same social media platform, “it sp[oke] volumes.”
