Woman makes final defense for Tom Brady in obituary

A Massachusetts woman took it upon herself to set the record straight in her final message. Her declaration? New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is innocent.

72-year-old Patricia M. Shong died last Monday surrounded by her family, according to Boston.com.

But not before she asked those closest to her to share her final message to the world through her obituary.

“She would also like us to set the record straight for her: Brady is innocent!!,” the obituary read.

Shong was referring to the “Deflategate” scandal that has surrounded the quarterback and the Patriots since the AFC Championship game in January.

The investigation into “Deflategate,” determined that Brady “was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities” of the deflated game balls.

Brady was suspended for four games and the Patriots were fined $1 million and lost two draft picks. Brady has appealed his suspension, but the Patriots accepted the hefty fine and the loss of draft picks.

A die-hard Patriots fan, Shong firmly believed in Brady until the end.

“That’s who my mother was,” said Shong’s daughter, Tracy Plante to TIME magazine. “She was a big Patriots fan and it was something that defined her. She was very much a homebody and she always watched the Patriots on television.”

The light-hearted defense for Brady was preceeded by mentions of her family and the things she loved to do.

“Patricia enjoyed scrapbooking, cross stitching, pixel art, knitting, and crocheting. She relished weekly card night with the ladies. Patricia was known for being an avid reader which all who knew her can attest to based on her mini home library. She especially loved spending time with her family.”

Contact Ron Paul Gavino at rgavino@reviewjournal.com. Find him on Twitter: @rp_gavino.