It's official, star QB Tom Brady will be missing the first 4 games of the 2015 NFL season for his involvement in the deflategate scandal during last season's AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. The New England Patriots will also be stripped of two draft picks including their first rounder from next year, while they also face a $1 million fine, although they're said to be recovering all of that from the wages Brady will miss out on. It's a fair but stark warning to every single team, coach and player in the league; nobody is above the law, and nobody is safe if they're involved in any form of cheating. Brady will miss the games against the Steelers, Bills, Jaguars and Cowboys, before returning in Week 5 against their biggest AFC rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, but he certainly hasn't been landed with the ultimate punishment that former stars have earned themselves. There have been countless minor suspensions handed down to players for substance abuse, and more than 20 players have previously been suspended for entire seasons or longer for that reason, but this list will only include one example to make way for a host of fallen heroes who were suspended for a sprawling range of misdemeanours.
What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.
