Brady admits motivation after Deflategate suspension, reveals September routine while away from Patriots
A rare break from football
As the 2016 season approached, Brady had won one Super Bowl in the previous decade-plus. The Deflategate case resulted in a four-game suspension for his involvement in the scandal.
The suspension was an unusual absence for Brady. Aside from a torn ACL in 2008, it was the only time he had been away from the field, according to the report.
Brady’s September vacation
Former teammates Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski joked about Brady’s time off as a vacation. Brady said on their show that he made the most of September. Brady recalled that he had not had a September off since before he began playing football in elementary school. His comments described how he used the period away from the Patriots.
Return and season finish
After returning from the suspension, Brady went 11-1, according to the report. The Patriots ended the season with a 28-3 rally against the Atlanta Falcons. That comeback came in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5, 2017. Brady’s September break preceded a successful finish to the season.
Key points
- Brady served a four-game suspension following the Deflategate case.
- He said he took advantage of his September away from football.
- Brady went 11-1 after returning from his suspension.
- The Patriots finished the season with a 28-3 comeback against Atlanta.