The thrilling behind-the-scenes account of how the NFL's most
sensational scandal culminated in sports history's greatest comeback,
featuring dozens of exclusive interviews with Patriots players --
including Tom Brady himself.
**
**In January 2015, rumors circulated that the New England Patriots -- a
team long suspected of abiding by the "if you ain't cheating you ain't
trying" philosophy -- had used under-inflated footballs in their playoff
victory against the Indianapolis Colts. As evidence began to build,
however, a full on NFL investigation was launched, exploding an
unsubstantiated rumor into an intense scandal that would lead news
coverage for weeks. As shockwaves rippled throughout the NFL system, the
very legitimacy of one of the league's most popular teams and their star
quarterback began to erode, even as the Patriots and Brady went on to
win that year's Super Bowl.
But as the celebrations gave way to the offseason, the investigation
only intensified, reopening old wounds between the Patriots' powerful
owner, Robert Kraft, and the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell. Brady was
devastated and seemingly more nervous in front of a judge that on a
game-winning drive.
When the dust settled, Brady would be able to play again - but only
after watching the first four games of the 2016 season from his couch.
The pressure couldn't have been more intense: Brady's legacy was at
stake. If he failed to return to his usual self, all the critics and
even the history books would have to put a giant asterisk next to his
name, signifying one thing: he was a cheater.
12 is the propulsive story of this gritty comeback. It's a drama that
unfolds in the locker room, the court room, and under the brightest
lights in all of sports -- the Super Bowl. Now for the first time,
readers will have an exclusive look into Tom Brady's experience and the
NFL's shocking strangle-hold on their players. With unprecedented access
to Brady himself, his teammates, and his lawyers, we will see just how a
football legend went up against one of the largest corporations in the
world to stage the greatest comeback in NFL history and emerge a god of
the gridiron.
