Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who squared off with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in two Super Bowls, takes no pleasure in seeing Brady suspended. But Manning saw it coming when he learned from the Deflategate report that Brady had broken the rules of the NFL.
“I don’t like to see anybody get suspended, I don’t like to see anybody get in trouble, so in no way am I glad to see this happen,” Manning said, via the New York Daily News. “I think it is about integrity and you have to follow the rules. So if someone’s breaking rules I understand they’re going to get punished.”
Manning read some of the Ted Wells report and expected the league to come down hard on Brady, who will miss the first four games of the season.
“Obviously it didn’t look good,” Manning said. “I figured something like this may happen.”
After hearing about Deflategate, Manning threw some underinflated footballs out of curiosity.
“Yeah, there is a difference,” he said. “A noticeable difference.”
Manning stressed that he respects Brady and said he doesn’t think this punishment will tarnish Brady’s legacy. Even if Brady has just become the highest-profile NFL player ever to be suspended for breaking the rules.