Patriots QB Tom Brady suspended for 4 games, team loses draft picks

The National Football League has announced that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be suspended for the first four games of the 2015-2016 season for his role in what has now been deemed by many as the \"Deflategate\" scandal.

The NFL's announcement comes just days after the release of a league investigation into allegations that the Patriots used under-inflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts. The report determined that the team did use improper equipment, placing the bulk of the blame on two equipment managers and noting that Brady was \"generally aware\" of the practice.

The Patriots organization will also forfeit their 1st-round draft pick in 2016 and a 4th-round draft pick in 2017, along with a $1 million fine.

Brady's four game suspension would have him missing home games against Pittsburgh and Jacksonville, and trips to Buffalo and Dallas. His first eligible week to play would be Week 6, when the Patriots visit the Indianapolis Colts on October 18th.