Watch CBS News

Richard Sherman Thinks Tom Brady's Punishment Is Unfair

BOSTON (CBS) -- Politics can make strange bedfellows. So, too, can Roger Goodell.

The NFL commissioner's discipline on Tom Brady for "DeflateGate" has caused many football fans in New England to express outrage, but now an unexpected rival has joined that fight.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman spoke to USA Today about Brady's current situation, and Sherman sees Brady being held to much more strict standard than some misbehaving team owners.

"You're fining players more than you're fining organizations?" Sherman said, referencing the four-game ban that will cost Brady about $2 million. "That should bring up some red flags. But nobody's talking about that."

Coincidentally, Sherman targeted Colts owner Jim Irsay, the man whose organization kicked off this seven-month saga. Irsay was arrested and charged with a DUI last March, and police found $29,000 in cash and numerous bottles of prescription drugs in Irsay's car at the time of the arrest.

"Last year, Jim Irsay got fined what, 500 grand?" Sherman told USA Today. "Owners can only be fined so much. There's a cap. And Brady gets fined (roughly $2 million). Whether the crimes are the same or not, a suspension is a suspension, a fine is a fine. Game checks."

Sherman noted that the $1 million fine to the Patriots organization is "peanuts," considering how much money the team will generate this year.

Nobody knows how U.S. District Judge Richard Berman will rule, but Judge Richard Sherman has made his beliefs clear.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.