Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been suspended four games for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the league, the NFL announced.
In addition, New England will lose their first-round draft pick in 2016, a fourth in 2017 and the team was fined $1 million. Brady was considered to have a "more probable than not" knowledge of the deflating of footballs during the 2014 season, including the AFC Championship game against the Colts, according to the Wells Report.
Brady will be able to participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities.
The two team employees, John Jastremski and James McNally have also been suspended indefinitely without pay by the team. Commissioner Roger Goodell came to the decision after consulting multiple parties.
"We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with Troy Vincent and many others," Goodell said. "We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report."
Backup Jimmy Garoppolo will likely take over for Brady in the first four weeks of the season, something his personal passing coach Jeff Cristiansen believes he's ready for.
"From the exchanges I've had with Jimmy, I can tell you Tom's been great with him, and helping him understand NFL defenses, along with the offense," Christiansen said. "He's got nothing but great things to say about the whole situation. He feels very fortunate."