Tom Brady

Patriots unveil massive Tom Brady banner at Gillette Stadium as QB's suspension begins

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

Now that the NFL preseason has concluded, Tom Brady's four-game suspension for his role in the Deflategate saga officially begins. And the Patriots commemorated the occasion by hanging an enormous banner of their quarterback on the Gillette Stadium lighthouse in a clear show of support.

pic.twitter.com/ZIuTVSVsDU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 4, 2016

Brady himself may have participated in a silent protest of his own against the league, when he appeared in preseason games without the NFL logo sticker that appears on every player's helmet.

Tom Brady appears to be staging his own silent protest during games — against the NFL https://t.co/KEd9q325QS pic.twitter.com/df5VJ9APKQ
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) September 3, 2016

The Patriots will start Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback in Brady's absence. New England opens the season at Arizona, followed by home games against the Dolphins, Texans and Bills. Brady will be eligible to return when the Patriots face the Browns in Cleveland for a Week 5 matchup on Oct. 9.