NFL to play season in Brady's honor
I just saw this info over at nfl.com:
The rest of the 2008 NFL season will be officially played in honor of injured New England QB Tom Brady. A statement released by the commissioner's office notes the significant impact the Patriots' superstar has had on the league for the last decade and dedicates the rest of the regular season and playoffs to the injured QB. Commish Roger Goodell stated, "The season-ending injury to Tom is a significant loss not only to the Patriots but to the entire NFL. His absence will be felt around the league, affecting the competitive balance on the field as well as the media, marketing, and economic arenas. Honoring Tom by playing the season in his name is the right thing to do, the least that we can do to acknowledge the impact that he has upon us all."
The most noticeable measure will come in the form of a uniform patch, similar to the "GU 63" patch on all teams’ jerseys this year. The Brady patch will be a simple "-12" on the left shoulder. Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian acknowledged that this is an appropriate symbol of honor for a fallen rival. "With the loss of Gene and now Tom, this has been a bleak year for the NFL. Of course we have to move forward, but we can still let them know that we feel their loss."
Reaction from players around the league was mixed. Cowboys linebacker and captain Bradie James said that without Brady on the field, the Cowboys’ path to the Super Bowl won’t mean as much. "A hollow victory," said James. "If you don’t [beat] the best, it’s not as good. So this patch will get me pumped up for next year when Tom’s back and the games mean something again."
Brett Favre wasn’t impressed by the news. "I was retired for almost two months. Where’s my patch?" he said. "If the league makes me wear [the "-12" patch] I’ll demand a trade to the CFL."
But Kansas City’s Bernard Pollard, whose borderline hit ended Brady’s season, likes the idea. "It’s a good tribute," he said. "I’ll wear the badge with pride. I’m just glad the league is still letting me play after taking out the face of the league."
Brady was not available for comment, but his agent released a statement that read simply " ‘All the right things’ – Tom Brady. We know that’s what he would say if he were here."
- Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn’t thrilled with the attention being given to his injured star. "One man goes down, and the next steps in and does his job. That’s why we have a 53-man roster. If they want to recognize Tom, maybe a patch that said "system" would be more appropriate," Belichick said
- Each franchise will be allowed to honor Brady in their own way, although the NFL is suggesting that all teams designate one home game as "Minus Twelve Day." Fans will be given t-shirts with the number 13 in Patriots red-and-blue, honoring Brady as the true "twelfth man."
- Apparently the NFL debated changing the name of this year’s Super Bowl in Brady’s honor, but corporate licensing agreements would not allow it. Instead, the Super Bowl MVP trophy will be named after Brady, and the Lombardi trophy awarded to this year’s champs will have Brady’s name engraved on it. "As it should be," said Goodell, "he would have won it anyway."
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20 comments
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dedicate season to Brady?
This must be a joke!
by el paso fan on Sep 13, 2008 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
this is the stupidest thing I've ever read
I have officially lost a little respect for the NFL today. where’s the link?
My popcorn's ready!
by CowboyBawler4 on Sep 13, 2008 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
satire
this sounds like it’s from The Onion or something
by scottmaui on Sep 13, 2008 1:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Wow is just the only thing I can say. Dudes going to play next year! The guy is still alive and has a model girlfriend no one should feel quite that bad for him!
by NDCowboy8 on Sep 13, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
People...please
This is not legitimate. Try to use some logic when assessing something like this.
by jthig32 on Sep 13, 2008 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
One man is not the league....nor should he be recognized above the dozen or so other players that have been lost for the year...
This is the most pathetic story i’ve read in a while and i sure hope it isn’t true…I hope Jerry Jones doesn’t agree to place a patch on our sacred cloth that would soil the Cowboys uniform…
Goodell is a closet Brady lover…..He’s lost all respect (I didn’t have much for him as it is)
This is the most absurd notion ever conceived by the NFL ….
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
by BoyzRback on Sep 13, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
lolligans
lame.. May as well rename the NFL to TBFL while we’re at it.. please..
by sublimezg on Sep 13, 2008 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious
The story is hilarious and the fact that some of you even remotely think it could be true is also hilarious. I’m in disbelief that you would even consider it to be close to true. Wow.
But a pretty funny story. I like the “all the right things” quote. really clever.
by BombDiggity on Sep 13, 2008 3:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
I needed a good laugh today.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Sep 13, 2008 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
where's the friggin link ???
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
by BoyzRback on Sep 13, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brilliant, just brilliant!
The Favruh quip was just exquisite.
31 teams may dream of the Superbowl but only one team, the Dallas Cowboys, expect it.
by accidental innuendo on Sep 13, 2008 3:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's a joke
If the NFL really did this, don’t you think maybe all the guys who suffer career ending injuries would be like “WTF”?
Very funny greatwhitenorth, you’re probably the same clown who was posting at BGN as Jeffrery Lurlie.
by Billito on Sep 13, 2008 3:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great satire
I can’t believe some of you guys actually fell for it!
by Dave Halprin on Sep 13, 2008 5:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I dedicate this season to Giselle Bundschen
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Sep 13, 2008 9:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow...
I’m not sure who needs to get a life more—me for taking the time to write this, or the four of you who missed the satire and got pissed about it! I guess I’ll vote you, because at least I was funny… glad some of you enjoyed it.
by greatwhitenorth on Sep 14, 2008 6:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
For the record
I thought it was pretty clever and I am big fan of satire but all of a sudden this week we have had like 5 “fake” posts trying to rile people up before tomorrow’s game so if I seemed irritated, it was due to the sudden inundation of strange posts – not so much yours.
by Billito on Sep 14, 2008 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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