Many NFL players, coaches, executives and fans believe New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s four-game Deflategate suspension is just and should be served in full.
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t among them.
That’s right — the team that has gone 3-7 against Tom Brady (and 0-2 in the playoffs) actually wants the Patriots quarterback to win his appeal and suit up across from them Sept. 10, opening night of the NFL season.
“Yes, of course,” Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette. “The competitor in you wants to see the best team out there, and why not beat Tom Brady in Gillette Stadium on a Thursday night game?
“We might have a better chance (without Brady), but when you look at playing these teams and seeing them in the playoffs, you want your guys to be ready to go into that situation. So if guys can prepare against playing against the best early, it’s going to help us later down the road.”
Several players said it would be a shame if Brady didn’t play, despite it hurting their chances of winning the game, according to Bouchette.
“We talked about it,” Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert said. “What he did (in Deflategate) was probably not right, but obviously he’s a proven guy, a proven winner, probably one of the greatest to ever play. To see him in the opening game of the season would mean a lot, especially to both teams.”
For some, it’s as simple as wanting to take a shot at the legendary QB.
“I always want to sack the quarterback, and his name is a good one to have,” nose tackle Steve McLendon said. “If the best is there, (you want to) play the best.”
Regardless of motive, that’s still high praise coming from a rival.
h/t to CBSSports.com
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
