Patriots Haters Revel In The 'Glory' Of The NFL Reinstating Tom Brady's Suspension
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's as predictable as the sun rising in the morning, or perhaps even the sun setting in the evening. Something bad happens to Tom Brady, and bloodthirsty anti-Patriots fans do a tapdance on his figurative grave. Twitter is a popular breeding ground for these bacterial infections emitting this type of schadenfreude-driven reaction of insufferable glee.
The tweeps did not disappoint on Monday morning, with many gladly taking pleasure in the news of the reinstatement of Brady's four-game suspension for whatever DeflateGate even is these days. I first turned to Barstool Sports and founder Dave Portnoy, who should be credited with originally submitting the simple idea that DeflateGate was a total sham, which it has certainly turned out to be. Portnoy did not disappoint, tweeting an appropriately succinct reaction holding an impromptu emergency press conference.
Portnoy's demeanor reflected how millions of Patriots should feel right now: enraged beyond words, despondent, generally speechless. But, considering the intense, irrational hatred for the Patriots among fans pretty much everywhere outside of New England (and half of Connecticut), the Twitter reactions to the suspension were overwhelmingly positive.
You've got those who just like to see the Patriots and their fans cry...
And those who may or may not believe Brady is an actual criminal who commits crimes...and shouldn't even joke about something like that.
And others whose Mondays were made that much better by the news and might not have their priorities straight if that's what it takes to brighten their days...
The funniest thing about this is that anyone who's been paying attention to the Patriots in the Bill Belichick era knows that they can still win their first four games without Brady. Yes, all four of them. Would it not be one of the ultimate F you's to the league to pull that off?
It's more likely that the Patriots go 2-2 in their first four games if they have to go with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. They almost always start the season that way, and they are still far and away the favorite in the AFC East, which has led many people to point out how little this suspension would even hurt the team.
Portnoy thought last season was the "Kill Everybody" tour? Wait until Brady returns in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns. The state of Ohio will not have enough water to douse the pure fire coming their way.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.