FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (KRON/AP) – Tom Brady’s supporters were out in force for the Patriots first practice of training camp on Thursday, with fans cheering the San Mateo native as he came out on the practice field.
The quarterback and team owner Robert Kraft both got a warm reception from the crowded bleachers full of New England fans. Many were wearing jerseys with Brady’s No. 12.
But it wasn’t all love for the 37-year-old four-time Super Bowl champion. Overhead, a plane buzzed the field towing a banner that said, “Cheaters Look Up.”
Earlier, for the second straight day, coach Bill Belichick stonewalled questions about deflated footballs.
Belichick said he’s only worried about the day’s practice. He responded the same way when asked about trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions. He also echoed the same response when asked about the weather.
Belichick said what’s in the past doesn’t concern him. And anything in the future beyond the day’s practice isn’t in his control, either.
On Tuesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the four game suspension over the scandal that’s become known as “deflategate.” The Patriots have also been docked $1 million and two draft picks after the league investigation that found the team provided improperly inflated footballs in the AFC championship game. Brady has sued to overturn the suspension.