Patriots react on Twitter to judge's lifting of Tom Brady suspension
The New England Patriots wasted no time reacting to Judge Richard M. Berman's decision to vacate Tom Brady's four-game suspension, posting a picture of a fired-up Brady to the team's official Twitter account.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 3, 2015
Soon afterwards, the team also announced a contest with a signed Brady jersey as the prize, including a picture of the four-time Super Bowl champion waving his rings around. This comes off as even more comical when you consider the NFL suggested Brady bribed Patriots employee Jim McNally with autographed memorabilia in order to deflate the footballs for him, a notion the judge dismissed.
Enter to win a signed Tom Brady jersey: http://t.co/QO2XQYdP0I pic.twitter.com/Vbr8pLmvqn
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 3, 2015
Needless to say, Brady's teammates are pretty happy about the fact their two-time NFL MVP quarterback will be taking the field with them when their season opens against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.
Let's go! This season to be one heck of another ride!! #PatsNation pic.twitter.com/vFZ1vmBxAq
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) September 3, 2015
Judge Berman....U know what u are 😂😂😂 (D-Mac) pic.twitter.com/wHxc6cXGIR
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) September 3, 2015
Let's goooo TB12!!! This is gonna be a fun season!!! 1st win of the year for #PatsNation
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) September 3, 2015
#FreeBrady #TB12 pic.twitter.com/wo5TTtfUyt
— Jamie Collins (@j_collins91) September 3, 2015
Thursday night gonna be turnt #Brady #PatsNation
— Jody Breeze (@Blafell1) September 3, 2015
Let's go #GOAT pic.twitter.com/gQR3LSYk7R
— Sebastian Vollmer (@SebVollmer) September 3, 2015
Likewise, the players' association took a victory lap in a statement from NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith released on the organization's website in the minutes after Berman's ruling.
The rights of Tom Brady and of all NFL players under the collective bargaining agreement were affirmed today by a Federal Judge in a court of the NFL’s choosing. We thank Judge Berman for his time, careful consideration of the issue and fair and just result.
This decision should prove, once and for all, that our Collective Bargaining Agreement does not grant this Commissioner the authority to be unfair, arbitrary and misleading. While the CBA grants the person who occupies the position of Commissioner the ability to judiciously and fairly exercise the designated power of that position, the union did not agree to attempts to unfairly, illegally exercise that power, contrary to what the NFL has repeatedly and wrongfully claimed.
We are happy for the victory of the rule of law for our players and our fans. This court’s decision to overturn the NFL Commissioner again should signal to every NFL owner that collective bargaining is better than legal losses. Collective bargaining is a much better process that will lead to far better results.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft chose to offer his support in the former of a mic drop, issuing a statement that called Brady "a classy person of the highest integrity" and blasted the league's legal team.
Statement from Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Brady ruling: pic.twitter.com/S15GeSJ0mb
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) September 3, 2015
Meanwhile, Goodell's Twitter silence has reached 362 days, but you can probably guess his reaction.
NFL Headquarters right now https://t.co/9Nw2h8UzEe
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) September 3, 2015
And while Goodell plans to appeal Berman's decision, just about everyone in Patriots Nation is rejoicing.
billboards like these have shown up in 35 locations around Boston/Mass (some say YES!) pic.twitter.com/vHEe1CWVwC
— shalise manza young (@shalisemyoung) September 3, 2015
Deflategate judge offered free coffee for life at Dunkin Donuts in Maine http://t.co/dI5u6x8Ht5 pic.twitter.com/8B14oHUpbO
— Steve DelVecchio (@SteveDelSports) September 3, 2015
Really, the only person in New England who might not be so excited is backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who was expected to be named the starter during Brady's four-game absence.
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is a contributor for Ball Don't Lie and Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @brohrbach