FOXBORO, Mass. — Bill Belichick set the tone for his players Wednesday by explicitly telling reporters the decision to uphold Tom Brady’s four-game suspension had “already been addressed” by team owner Robert Kraft.
But that didn’t stop New England Patriots captain Matthew Slater from making one thing clear: He and the team have Brady’s back.
“I think it’s safe to say that Tom is the heartbeat of this team,” Slater said in a press conference late Wednesday morning. “He’s been here longer than any player. He’s set the standard. He’s earned everything he’s accomplished in this league.”
The veteran wide receiver and special teams ace also emphasized a theme of solidarity when asked how he and his teammates are reacting to Brady’s punishment.
“I will say this: All of us in here are part of a family,” Slater said. “We come from a family, and the guys in this locker room, we feel as though we’re family in there. Good or bad, things happen in life, and you stick with your family, no matter what the outcome, and I think that’s the way we’re going to approach it.”
Kraft apologized to fans and Brady earlier Wednesday for his decision in May to accept New England’s portion of the Deflategate punishment. Slater declined to get into specifics on Kraft’s remarks, but he did offer a vote of confidence for the Patriots owner.
“Look, Mr. Kraft is the captain of this ship,” Slater said. “He’s the captain of this organization, so as I said earlier, he speaks for all of us when he speaks. I think he said everything that needed to be said.”
Slater also was asked about Jimmy Garoppolo possibly having an increased role in training camp, but channeled his inner Belichick in response.
“I’m not going to get too much into Jimmy’s personal situation or any other player’s personal situation,” Slater said. “Jimmy’s working hard, and so are the other 89 guys on this team.”
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
