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From Field Gulls on why the punishment was so heavy (normally the fine is $25K):
Because the NFL was extremely clear that it wasn't punishing the Pats just for cheating. From the official explanation of the Pats' penalty -- emphasis added:
"For the violation of the playing rules and the failure to cooperate in the subsequent investigation the New England Patriots are fined $1 million and will forfeit the club's first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and the club's fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft."
The official explanation of Brady's penalty -- again emphasis added:
"Quarterback Tom Brady will be suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 regular season for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL. Brady may participate in all off-season training camp and pre-season activities including pre-season games."
and:
NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent additionally wrote a letter to Brady in which he states:
...The report documents your failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation including by refusing to produce any relevant electronic evidence (emails texts etc.) despite being offered extraordinary safeguards by the investigators to protect unrelated personal information and by providing testimony that the report concludes was not plausible and contradicted by other evidence.
"Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football.
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/5/12/8588815/the-nfl-punished-tom-brady-and...