Brady Speaks About “Deflategate” Punishment

Addressing reporters for the first time
since opting not to pursue further appeals of his four-game
suspension in the ''Deflategate'' saga, New England Patriots
quarterback Tom Brady called it a personal decision and said he is
trying to move on.

The four-time Super Bowl winner spoke to the media Friday at New
England's training camp. He is allowed to practice with the team
and play in the Patriots' preseason games but will miss the first
four regular-season games.

''I tried to come out here and just focus on what I need to do to
get better and help our team,'' he said. ''I'll be excited to be
back when I'm back, and I'll be cheering our team on, hoping they
can go out and win every game.''

Brady was suspended for his role in the use of deflated footballs
in the 2014 AFC championship win over Indianapolis. He initially
won a court appeal, but that was overturned, and Brady chose not to
continue the legal fight.

The 39-year-old led the league with 36 touchdown passes last
season. He must be away from the team beginning Sept. 3, the day of
final cuts, and can return on Oct. 3, the day after the Patriots'
fourth game of the season, against AFC East rival Buffalo. The
first game for which Brady will be eligible is Oct. 9 at Cleveland.

The suspension will snap his streak of 126 consecutive games played
- 112 in the regular season and 14 playoff games.

Asked if it was a difficult decision not to pursue legal avenues to
dismiss the suspension imposed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,
Brady replied:

''I think it's just personal and I've tried to move on from it so I
try to, like I said, focus on the positive and being out here with
my teammates and getting better. I don't want to go out and do
anything but try to be a great example for your teammates, and
we've got a lot of competitive guys that are down here on the
practice field, and I think that's where the focus needs to be.''

Brady cited the support he's received from the Patriots, his family
and fans throughout the process. He would not say if he was angry
at Goodell for the punishment.

''I have a job to do and I try to approach it the best way I can,''
Brady said. ''I've always tried to do things the same way and every
day's important to me. Certainly, as someone who's been around here
a long time, I know I've got to bring it every day, and I think I
just try to go out there and lead by example, try to bring it and
show my teammates that I'm ready to go mentally and physically
every day.''  (Associated Press)