FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Addressing reporters for the first time since opting not to pursue further appeals of his four-game suspension in the "Deflategate" saga, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called it a personal decision and said he is trying to move on.
The four-time Super Bowl winner spoke to the media Friday at New England's training camp. He is allowed to practice with the team and play in the Patriots' preseason games but will miss the first four regular-season games.
"I tried to come out here and just focus on what I need to do to get better and help our team," he said. "I'll be excited to be back when I'm back, and I'll be cheering our team on, hoping they can go out and win every game."
Brady was suspended for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the 2014 AFC championship win over Indianapolis. He initially won a court appeal, but that was overturned, and Brady chose not to continue the legal fight.
The 39-year-old led the league with 36 touchdown passes last season. He must be away from the team beginning Sept. 3, the day of final cuts, and can return on Oct. 3, the day after the Patriots' fourth game of the season, against AFC East rival Buffalo. The first game for which Brady will be eligible is Oct. 9 at Cleveland.
The suspension will snap his streak of 126 consecutive games played -- 112 in the regular season and 14 playoff games.
Asked if it was a difficult decision not to pursue legal avenues to dismiss the suspension imposed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Brady replied:
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"I think it's just personal and I've tried to move on from it so I try to, like I said, focus on the positive and being out here with my teammates and getting better. I don't want to go out and do anything but try to be a great example for your teammates, and we've got a lot of competitive guys that are down here on the practice field, and I think that's where the focus needs to be (see full story)."
Chiefs: Nick Foles signing announced
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of quarterback Nick Foles on Friday, giving them a veteran backup to Alex Smith and alleviating one of the biggest question marks on the roster.
The sides had agreed to terms of a contract earlier this week.
Foles was granted his release from the Rams this past summer after they chose quarterback Jared Goff with the first pick in the NFL draft. Foles had been linked to the Cowboys before deciding to sign with Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who originally drafted him in Philadelphia.
Foles was expected to begin practicing with the Chiefs on Friday.
Kansas City was poised to begin the season with Aaron Murray, Tyler Bray or rookie Kevin Hogan as the No. 2 quarterback. None of them have taken a meaningful snap in the NFL.
Bills: LB Reggie Ragland injures left knee
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland left practice Friday with a left knee injury.
Bills coach Rex Ryan says the team does not believe any knee ligaments were damaged, but Ragland will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.
The non-contact injury took place in a team drill near the end of Buffalo's morning practice. Ragland was going after the ball carrier on a running play before pulling up and going to the ground. He was able to walk to the locker room under his own power.
Ragland is projected to start at inside linebacker for Buffalo after being drafted 41st overall. The Bills are already without first-round pick Shaq Lawson, projected to start at outside linebacker.
In other Bills injury news, Ryan said defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (undisclosed non-football illness) will likely return to practice on Monday.
NFL: Montee Ball sentenced to jail for domestic abuse
MADISON, Wis. -- Former NFL and Wisconsin running back Montee Ball has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and battery for his role in two domestic abuse incidents.
In an agreement with prosecutors, the 25-year-old Ball entered the plea to three of six charges against him. Ball was charged with battery and disorderly conduct in February after his girlfriend told police he had thrown her across a Madison hotel room. About a month later, a previous girlfriend told police she had been assaulted by Ball in 2014. He was charged with strangulation, substantial battery and disorderly conduct.
A Dane County judge Friday also ordered Ball to serve 18 months of probation. Ball holds touchdown records at Wisconsin. He was drafted by Denver in 2013 and cut after two seasons.
