New England Patriots fans showed their displeasure with the NFL's move to fine the organization for "DeflateGate" by launching a GoFundMe page to compensate the expenses.
New York Daily News said that despite the Patriots being valued at $2.6 billion, fans are helping the reigning Super Bowl champs financially to pay off the fine of $1 million imposed by the league.
As noted on The Guardian, quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for four games for his "more probable than not" involvement in the controversy. Brady was allegedly aware of the situation wherein two employees of the New England Patriots improperly deflated footballs in the days leading to the AFC Championship. Furthermore, the NFL also took away the Patriots' first-round draft pick in 2016 and their fourth-round pick in 2017.
Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, said in the same The Guardian report, "We reached these decisions after extensive discussion with [NFL executive vice president of football operations] Troy Vincent and many others. We relied on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game and the thoroughness and independence of the Wells report."
Michael J. Whitman, a New England fan, started the GoFundMe page on May 11, 2015.
He wrote, "We obviously know we won't reach One Million Dollars, however we do believe the fine is bulls**t and want to help anyway we can. So whatever is donated will be donated to the New England Patriots in help with the fine!
"As we venture with this, we will do frequent updates to show progression of this! If enough is made to make the travel, we will fly down there (on our own expenses) and deliver a check in person!"
The GoFundMe initiative has already pooled $13,415. If the Patriots will not accept the fund, Whitman explained that the money will be donated to other causes.
"We have an idea of taking the proceeds and distributing it to various causes in hopes to help multiple organizations, businesses, families, Relief projects, Charities (even of the Patriots choosing), other GoFundMe’s that really could use some extra help, etc.," he assured.
Other New York Jets fans also responded to the "DeflateGate" scandal by purchasing 12 billboards that stated, "#TomShady J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!" The billboards were positioned along the New Jersey Turnpike and other areas throughout the state, according to another report by New York Daily News.
Carly Zipp, communications director for Outfront Media, told the news outlet that a group of anonymous Jets fans approached her with the plan to set up the billboards.
Zipp said, "Jets fans are very opinionated. Because billboards are something that is seen by everyone, they knew the power of message and they wanted to it get it out."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
