Tom Brady's four-game suspension officially began Saturday. The New England Patriots quarterback will return Week 5 versus the Cleveland Browns. Jimmy Garoppolo will hold the fort until Brady's return.
Patriots players are already lamenting Brady's absence.Â
"Not going to lie, it's like one of your buddies going to jail," receiver Julian Edelman said Sunday, per the team's transcript. "It's one of those types of things. The whole situation is unfortunate, but it's happened. We've got to move on. We love him to death. On the field, off the field, he's been a great help in my life. But we've got to deal with the situation and right now the situation is thinking about the Arizona Cardinals and who's going to be out there to go out and play against these guys."
The Patriots ensured their leader's presence will continue to be felt at Gillette Stadium. The team plastered Brady's image and number along the side of the lighthouse:
The team hasn't wavered in displaying its support for Brady. From the team's official Twitter handle, to owner Robert Kraft's numerous proclamations, to former running back Kevin Faulk's draft day support, to now a giant picture at the stadium.
The New Orleans Saints made a somewhat similar move at their practice facility in 2012 when coach Sean Payton was suspended a year by the league for his alleged role in the team's bounty scandal. It seems he's a fan of the Patriots' exterior design choices.
