FOX NFL Analyst, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman Discusses Tom Brady’s Suspension
NFL Hall of Famer and FOX NFL lead game analyst Troy Aikman discusses Tom Brady’s suspenstion on AMERICA’S PREGAME.
Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman, FOX NFL Rules Analyst Mike Pereira Weigh In on ‘Deflate-Gate’ Punishment on FOX Sports 1
NFL on FOX analysts Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw joined FOX Sports 1’s AMERICA’S PREGAME on Tuesday, discussing the penalties levied by the National Football League against the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady for their roles in the under-inflation of footballs used in January’s AFC Championship Game. Aikman and Bradshaw, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks and winners of three and four Super Bowl titles respectively, phoned in, addressing the four-game suspension handed down to Brady, in addition to the fines and draft-choice forfeitures assessed to the organization:
Aikman gives his view of the New England Patriots’ organization in light of this latest controversy following the 2007 ‘Spygate’ investigation: “As a former player and someone who won multiple Super Bowls, understanding and appreciating how difficult that is, I still hold them in high regard. I don’t think the balls being deflated had any impact on the game. I still look at that organization as an organization that, in a lot of ways, sets the standard, and certainly have been the model of consistency in a time and era when that is extremely difficult. Bill Belichick is a phenomenal football coach, a Hall of Fame coach and Tom Brady is a Hall of Fame quarterback.”
On the idea that quarterbacks should be allowed to have the footballs prepared to their preference: “I’ve always felt that if one guy likes the balls underinflated and one guy likes the balls overinflated, so be it. At a time when the NFL tries to promote scoring, quarterbacks should be able to throw whatever footballs they like. Unfortunately, that is not the rule and the rule was violated.”
Full clip of Aikman: http://foxs.pt/1Fcfbvo
Bradshaw does not blame Brady for appealing the ruling and says he should explore every avenue to prove his innocence: “If I’m innocent, totally 100% innocent, I’m fighting for my life. I’m fighting for my reputation. Here is my cell phone, here are my emails, knock yourself out and if that doesn’t satisfy you, I’ll see you in court.”
On how he thinks Brady will bounce back after serving his suspension: “He is a phenomenal quarterback and one of the best that’s ever played. He’s fiercely competitive, fiercely driven, and I don’t think he wants anything more in his life than to be the only quarterback to win five Super Bowls. He’s obsessed with preparation, with knowing and controlling everything. That’s what makes him great and that is, to some extent, possibly what got him in all this trouble.”
Full clip of Bradshaw: http://foxs.pt/1Fj1ZqG
FOX NFL rules analyst and former Vice President of Officiating for the NFL, Mike Pereira, also joined the program, addressing questions of when the NFL knew about potential foul play with the footballs and the course of action that ensued.
Pereira on suspicions of a ‘sting’ operation executed by the league against the Patriots: “I don’t get this notion of a ‘sting.’ When I was in the league office, teams would call me and say, ‘Hey, the Raiders do this, they line up illegally, etc.,’ but I wouldn’t call the Raiders and say anything unless I had absolute proof that they were doing it. I don’t think it’s a ‘sting’ and I don’t care if it’s a ‘sting.’ You’re either deflating the footballs, or you’re not.”
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