LEWISTON — Eleven-year-old Koby Lafata of Wales wanted to know: “Will Tom Brady be at training camp on Thursday?”
The NFL announced Tuesday that Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the decision to suspend Brady for the first four games of the regular season for his role in using underinflated footballs during the AFC championship game last season.
Although Brady is not suspended from preseason games, Lafata wondered Tuesday whether he would miss his chance to meet his idol. A huge Patriots fan, Lafata goes to training camp every year and is hoping to get Brady’s autograph, he said while waiting in line at Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream in Auburn.
Lafata said he didn’t think it was fair that Brady was suspended and he is supportive of the 2015 Super Bowl champions.
“Maybe the other quarterback will be successful,” Lafata said. “They have a chance of winning because they have a lot of good people.”
Others interviewed at the ice cream shop also thought the decision was unfair.
Bill Turner of Maine Source Homes and Realty said he thought the suspension “was ridiculous and very severe,” in the grand scheme of the game. “A one-game suspension might make sense,” he said, “but anything more than that would be vindictive and suggests that due to the success of the Pats over the years, Brady should be punished more than any normal quarterback would be.”
Natalie Washburn, 30, of Auburn said she wasn’t informed enough to comment on the commisioner’s decision. However, she said, “If anyone feels they’re wrongly judged, why not take it to the next level?”
Matt Olson and Melissa Duchesneau, owners of Mid Ridge Farm in Casco, said they had not heard the news that Brady’s appeal was denied, and thought too much money had been spent on the investigation. Although Olson isn’t a huge follower of football, he said, “I don’t think at the beginning it will matter” to the team’s success that Brady is suspended.
Lewiston resident Tim, who did not give his last name, said he felt Brady should fight for his reputation. But if he should be suspended for four games, “he’ll come back and take it for another ring.” The team is “going to be fine — they’ll probably be more aggressive.”
According to The Associated Press, Brady was suspended by NFL executive Troy Vincent in May following a league-sanctioned investigation by Ted Wells. The Patriots were fined $1 million and docked a pair of draft picks.
The team didn’t appeal its penalty, but Brady and his lawyers made their case during a 10-hour appeal hearing on June 23, according to the AP. Brady and the Patriots have denied knowingly using underinflated footballs in the AFC title game win over Indianapolis.
The Patriots went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl and Brady was named the Most Valuable Player.
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