By Mike Ferris
The decision was handed down last Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman. Berman reversed the decision handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell, which would’ve suspended Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for four games.
Berman’s decision is being appealed by the NFL, but amidst that appeal, which likely won’t be decided until after the season, Brady will play, and start in the Thursday Night opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Patriots’ fans and players, alike, were thrilled. The team’s tight end, Rob Gronkowski, took to Twitter immediately following the decision expressing his excitement, tweeting, “Let’s go! This season to be one heck of a ride! #PatsNation.”
As fans also took to Twitter Thursday, #PatsNation was a popular one. Fans tweeted their excitement about Brady being freed and justice being served.
But I submit to you that Patriots fans shouldn’t be excited. Sure Brady was “freed,” won his fourth Super Bowl and had his suspension overturned, but while on the surface it appears he won and Goodell lost, it may ultimately be the exact opposite in the long run.
The decision of the Court to reverse Goodell’s penalty does not clear Brady’s name all together.
No one will ever know what happened on that January day for that AFC Championship Game, but one thing is for certain, no matter what constitutional rights were broken, people have made up their minds about what they think has happened.
Like it or not, Patriots fans will support their team until the day they die, but those who aren’t Patriots fans will try to find every Raw they possibly can with the organization.
For that reason, Brady’s legacy will forever be tarnished, no matter Berman’s decision, the appeals decision or any other decision.
People always want to compare the Patriots quarterback to 49ers legend Joe Montana, but the truth of the matter is that when one thinks of Montana they think of the four Super Bowl rings and three Super Bowl MVP awards.
While Brady shares the feat of four rings and three MVP awards, the scandals can’t help but loom in the background.
No matter what the outcome of those scandals was, the sad truth in our society is that once someone has been accused, it is almost impossible for them to escape that accusation no matter if they prove their innocence.
Brady and the Patriots have many scandals during his tenure. Whether it be DeRategate, Spygate or the filming of walkthroughs, Bill Belichick and his Patriots during this time have been known to bend rules.
I will admit, even as someone who doesn’t support the Patriots, that Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game. I will also admit, no matter how unfair it may be, his legacy among NFL fans is tarnished and for that reason he may very well never be considered the greatest ever.
That may be all that Commissioner Goodell set out to do to Brady and for that reason while it appears Brady has won now, Goodell may really be the one who will have the last laugh.