The word is out and everyone now knows the cost of being the New England Patriots, Tom Brady, and probably knowing about deflating balls. Just like when anything big happens, the place to be in order to get a sample of how everyone is reacting was Twitter. Many of the people on Twitter responding to the punishment are current or former Patriots players, which makes it obvious what their opinion is. But they’re not the only ones stunned by how harshly the hammer went down on the Super Bowl champions.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!! SMH 😡 #PATSNATION STAND UP!!!!!

— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) May 11, 2015

😡 — Chandler Jones (@Chan95Jones) May 11, 2015

…..😑

— Dont’a Hightower (@zeus30hightower) May 11, 2015

Wow — Chimdi Chekwa (@ChimChek) May 11, 2015

WOW https://t.co/bDI9QkuYcj

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) May 11, 2015

Ouch — Marcus Gilbert (@MarcusGilbert88) May 11, 2015

Did not see that one coming a milli and 4 games😐

— Jameel McClain (@JameelMcClain) May 11, 2015

I honestly feel bad for Tom Brady!! I know first hand the type of competitor he is & how much work he puts in… Came down too hard on him! — DonteHitner (@DonteWhitner) May 11, 2015

To win four Super Bowl is outstanding. I know Tom Brady is a great competitor and leader. I feel sorry for him and patriots nation!

— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) May 11, 2015

Tom Brady suspended 4 games…. That’s just ridiculous. They are comparing it to steroid use. Preposterous! What are your thoughts? — Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) May 11, 2015

If the NFL is so worried about the integrity of the game then the league should issue all balls for all games. #DeflateGate #BaseballDoesIt

— Antonio Garay (@antoniogaray71) May 11, 2015

T. Brady suspended 4 games for violating integrity of the #NFL. T.Pryor suspended 5 games in NFL for Tattoos while in college. AMAZING! — Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) May 11, 2015

Apparently “probably” deflating footballs is worse than DV…? https://t.co/oQdgh7tzVI

— Brady Quinn (@3rd_Goal) May 11, 2015

4 games?? What a joke! Tom Brady’s getting the same suspension as PED users… Crime does not match the punishment #lostmorerespectfortheNFL — Jake ballard (@TheJakeBallard) May 11, 2015

There are a lot of people waiting for the New England Patriots and Tom Brady around the corner, so although there was a massive backlash and astonishment at the severity of the punishment, plenty of people around the league, past & present, were quite happy to see him punished.

It’s a good thing the @nfl suspended Tom Brady now everyone knows that NOBODY is above the system #NFL #FairGame

— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) May 11, 2015

I think the suspension is warranted, they came down hard on the organization though. #Deflategate — Sean Weatherspoon (@SeanWSpoon56) May 11, 2015

The Patriots are habitual rule breakers, and that’s why they win championships.

— Phillip Buchanon (@PhillipBuchanon) May 11, 2015

They lose a million dollars, which is nothing to an NFL franchise, and a first round draft pick but they still got a championship haha.. — Phillip Buchanon (@PhillipBuchanon) May 11, 2015

You have to the love the patriots . They do anything to win a Super Bowl . #mytypeofteam😊

— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) May 11, 2015