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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL has suspended New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady four games, fined the Patriots $1 million dollars, and they will forfeit their 1st round pick in 2016, and 4th round pick in 2017.
Filed to ESPN: Tom Brady suspended four games, Pats lose 1st round pick in 2016 and a 4th in 2017, and team fined $1 million, per source:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2015
The league also suspended the two locker room equipment staffers who carried out this plan indefinitely without pay.
With Tom Brady being suspended for the first four games of the NFL season, the New England Patriots will be going forward with second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback.
The Patriots open the season on Thursday Night football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will also miss games against the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys. The first game he's eligible to play in is against the Indianapolis Colts.
Tom Brady has three days to appeal this decision(which he will do). That will be another story in itself. Brady's agent Don Yee called the ruling "ridiculous and has no legitimate basis", and that they will appeal this ruling. Read Yee's full statement on the ruling here.
Read the NFL's full statement on the suspension here.
This will be updated when more on this story becomes available.