Patriots Fans Cite ‘Emotional Distress’ In Lawsuit To Recoup Draft Picks

Some people (still) really are losing their marbles over Deflategate.

A group of seven Patriots fans filed a lawsuit against the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell and team owner Robert Kraft on Monday in an attempt to recoup the draft picks New England lost as part of the league’s Deflategate punishment.

The lawsuit accuses the NFL of several wrongdoings, including breach of contract, fraud, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It also takes aim at the now-famous Wells Report.

“This case is brought by New England Patriots fans on behalf of all Patriots fans who believe the New England Patriots professional football team were harmed by the Defendants’ arbitrary and capricious decision to revoke the Patriots first round draft choice in the April 28, 2016 NFL Draft for alleged participation in a cheating scandal popularly referred to by the media as ‘Deflategate,’ ” the suit, signed by Maine attorney Seth Carey, states.

It’s interesting the lawsuit also goes after Kraft, as New England has built a dynasty under his ownership. However, the filing fans suggest he didn’t do enough to get back the Patriots’ draft picks — a first-round selection in 2016 and a fourth-round selection in 2017 — after the league handed down its Deflategate punishment.

“Defendant Robert Kraft had remedies to attempt to get the Plaintiffs’ draft pick back, but he chose his fellow billionaire owners above the Plaintiffs and fellow fans,” the lawsuit states.

If that’s not crazy enough, consider the section citing “emotional distress.”

“Plaintiffs have dealt with embarrassment, ridicule and depression due to the rest of the country who is jealous of the Patriots ‘piling on’ and criticizing the Patriots and their fans for being ‘cheaters,’ ” the lawsuit states.

One of the filing fans, Todd Orsatti, even claims that the NFL’s Deflategate punishment has impacted his home life, as his 7-year-old daughter supposedly won’t attend Patriots games with him anymore because she now thinks NFL games are fixed. Orsatti is “devastated,” according to the lawsuit.

*Eye roll*

Click to read the whole lawsuit >>

Thumbnail photo via Robert Duyos/USA TODAY Sports Images