The NFL sticker was absent from Tom Brady's helmet in the two preseason games he played in.
Coincidence or statement? Consequences or laissez-faire?
Patriots spokesman Stacey James said that, with the team off on Saturday, he likely wouldn't be able to buttonhole Brady for a statement until early October. Team communication with the suspended player ceases at 4 p.m. today.
The NFL offered no statement.
My understanding is that Brady had no idea it wasn't there and generally pays little attention to his helmet adornments.
The underrated and undeterred Mike Hurley of CBSBoston,com was the first guy to gumshoe this.
Speaking of gum and shoes, there's also speculation that Brady may have punctured his thumb before the second preseason game when removing the sticker, not - as I reported - when moving gum from his cleat. Forensics is on that with a re-creation project.