FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – 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.