White Plains, N.Y. — News of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots' Deflategate suspensions traveled fast. e

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was delivering remarks at a Guiding Eyes for the Blind sponsor recognition party in White Plains, New York, when the NFL released the news that Brady would be

suspended for four games

without pay for his involvement in under-inflating footballs used in the AFC Championship game. The Patriots will also be

fined $1 million and will have to forfeit a 2016 first round pick

and a 2017 fourth round pick.

Manning's initial reaction to

Ted Wells' Deflategate investigation

was that the findings "didn't look too good," but he said he felt bad for his buddy Brady.

"I figured something like this may happen, but Tom's been a friend of mine, I don't like to see anybody getting suspended, I don't like to see anybody get in trouble, I don't like to see anything happen to the NFL, or another player or quarterback," Manning said. "In no way am I glad to see this happen."

Still, Manning acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, as evidenced by the harsh punishment, and noted that there is an integrity issue at play.

"Any time you lose a starting quarterback for four games and draft picks, it's a pretty big statement," Manning said. "The NFL is serious about not messing with the integrity of the game, no matter how big or little the issue is."

Manning did not think that the Deflategate punishment would tarnish Brady's legacy, calling him "one of the best in the business." But he also made it clear where he stands on whether throwing an under-inflated ball makes a difference.

RELATED

:

Full coverage of Deflategate scandal

"I have studied it a little bit over the last few months and felt a few air pressures to see what it feels like and it is a way of getting an advantage and breaking the rules. I guess it's the short story to it all. e

"There is a difference, there is a noticeable difference. Whether it's an advantage or not, I guess that's all dependent on what a QB likes or what it's like in cold weather or if it's wet, there might be other factors to it."

Eli Manning on Tom Brady's suspension #DeflateGate New England Patriots, New York Giants Full Clip: http://on.sny.tv/1QFeXkn Posted by SNY on Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Nick Powell may be reached at npowell@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpowellbkny. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.