Even though Tom Brady has a four game suspension due to his role in deflategate, he can still play preseason matches and surprised fans last night.
Tom Brady was back on the field at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Thursday night.
He played a day after he appeared in federal court in New York City over his suspension for his role in "Deflategate."
He was suspended for four games following the scandal, but the penalty did not include preseason games or training camp.
Read: Did Tom Brady Skip White House Visit Because of Deflategate Jokes?
On Thursday night, Brady surprised fans, who weren't expecting him to play in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers.
The Patriots took to social media to showcase their leader.
Game time! #JobStartsNow #NEvsGB #letsgo https://t.co/Sm3zQZkfGk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 13, 2015
Fans held signs that said “Free Brady” and cheered him on as he commanded his team.
Despite the fanfare, Brady and his team lost 22-11. The Patriots season officially begins on September 10 against Pittsburgh Steelers.
The appearance comes after Brady's court appearance - and a rather questionable court sketch of the star player.
Read: NFL Report Says Tom Brady Was 'Generally Aware' of Deflategate
The sketch artist, Jane Rosenberg, told INSIDE EDITION: “I apologize to Tom Brady and all the fans who love him.”
Rosenberg has been sketching courtroom scenes for 35 years.
She said: “I have a hard time with famous people, getting their likeness, especially very good looking people, hard to draw.
Never has one of her sketches gotten so much attention. It inspired countless memes including Michael Jackson’s character from the music video, "Thriller."
DeflateGate is turning into a real thriller pic.twitter.com/KmY3Xv2Bej
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) August 12, 2015
Others include other shots of him in famous pop culture moments:
Tom Brady. Woof! pic.twitter.com/KQ1AJZFavt
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 12, 2015
@AGoot18 pic.twitter.com/IXqvAapqYj
— Thunder Dan Weiner (@DanWeiner) August 12, 2015
The evolution of the court sketch of Tom Brady, courtesy of @AGoot18's followers. pic.twitter.com/JG70B23dKZ
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) August 12, 2015
Even the Patriots found humor in the sketch gaffe:
Does this mean we need to update our Brady #TransformationTuesday gallery? http://t.co/6P7tWysfyS pic.twitter.com/IKqj9uGyfR
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 12, 2015
Watch Below: Tom Brady Sketch Artist Apologizes: Good Looking People Are Hard to Draw
