NFL suspends Tom Brady; takes away draft picks, fines Patriots

The NFL is laying the hammer down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brady will be suspended for the first four games of the 2015 NFL season for his role in having footballs deflated prior to games. The Patriots will also get a significant punishment, as Schefter writes:

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

And now NFL has announced it. Tom Brady suspended four games, Patriots fined $1 million, lose two picks.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2015

That's a pretty strong punishment for the deflategate scandal, but the fact that Brady allegedly lied to investigators about his role in the ordeal didn't help matters either.

This means Brady will miss the regular-season opener on Thursday Night Football between the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. The game will be missing some serious star-power as Le'Veon Bell will also be suspended for the first two games of the season.