Accept Deflategate punishment, move on: #tellusatoday

The NFL upheld the four-game suspension given to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for his role in tampering with game footballs. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

I see sides to the arguments for and against the suspension.

Honestly, I feel Tom Brady and his counsel should have tried to settle for a two-game suspension for obstructing the investigation (for allegedly destroying his cellphone) and moved on.

The whole thing is just a waste of time.

— Andrew Thomas Hernandez

If Brady had any integrity, he would just accept his punishment. He continues to show his true colors.

— Joe Mamas

Thanks to all the haters out there from all the other 31 NFL teams. No one has given your teams a second thought during the off-season.

The NFL and fans of irrelevant teams have given Brady even more motivation than he would normally have.

You want Brady and the Patriots with a chip on their shoulders? You got it.

— David Leufstedt

After watching NFL games for the past 15 years, I decided to call it quits last season. I did so not because of this scandal but for many other reasons. The game just does not work anymore. But this scandal provides confirmation that I have made the right decision.

— Pekka Jaske

Letter to the editor:

Tom Brady refused to give up his cellphone and then threw it away, and your headlines convict him of being a liar and of a coverup (“Crime was coverup,” Sports, Wednesday).

I have not seen your headlines calling Hillary Clinton a liar and accusing her of a coverup for destroying 30,000 emails and refusing to give up her server.

Professional NFL football player vs. potential USA president. Which should be more important to you and your readers?

Sande Davidson; Phoenix

We asked our followers what they thought about the way the NFL handled Deflategate. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

Deflategate was badly handled because the evidence is at best circumstantial, especially when it comes to Tom Brady.

— @PartesanJournal

The league handled it the right way! This is the second time the Patriots have been caught cheating. There are consequences.

— @bpilgreen86

There are no winners. Both overplayed their hand. Another black mark on the NFL.

— @ThatDavidGrant

Deflategate and texting scandals deflect from larger issues such as domestic violence, concussions and performance-enhancing drugs.

— @ProfessorDino

Deflategate is more detrimental to the entire league and its image than private tiffs with wives and girlfriends.

— @MontanaRusa509

I’m growing weary of all the drama and the whining of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft over Spygate, Deflategate and Brady’s phone!

— @russ_bill

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.