Tom Brady wins appeal, suspension overturned

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won his appeal against the NFL, has four-game suspension for Deflategate overturned.

The New England Patriots won’t have to go to Jimmy Garoppolo to start the season at quarterback, Tom Brady has won his appeal over his Deflategate suspension and had his four-game suspension nullified.

BREAKING: Tom Brady beats NFL in Deflategate court case. Judge nullifies league's 4-game suspension. pic.twitter.com/MzCg2RANVU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 3, 2015

That means when the Patriots play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Brady will be under center.

Judge Berman found “several significant legal deficiencies” that he used as grounds for his rling.

One of the critical issues in this appeal was commissioner Roger Goodell denying Brady’s motion to have Jeff Pash testify.

Berman found that Commissioner's denial of Brady's motion to have Jeff Pash testify was fundamentally unfair.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2015

Another was the fact that Brady was being punished for the conduct of others.

Berman found no NFL policy/precedent notifies players they may be disciplined for general awareness of others' conduct. Wells wording hurt.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2015

Because Brady won on inadequacy of notice and discovery, Berman didn't bother to rule on Goodell's partiality, factual conclusions, etc.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2015

The inconsistencies in Goodell’s process and handling of the situation was a factor.

Judge Berman basically saying Goodell was winging it with his punishment of Brady: pic.twitter.com/Kfs1Yz2qCg
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 3, 2015

Judge Berman also highlighted inconsistencies, like the non-punishment of New York Jets kicker Jay Feeley for tampering with balls.

Score one for Jay Feely, who personally argued to Judge Berman he wasn't disciplined in '09 while with NYJ pic.twitter.com/D8lw0rsGE8
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 3, 2015

According to media insider Ian Rapoport, the NFL won’t seek an injunction to keep Brady off the field as they make their own appeal.

Don’t expect @NFL to seek an injunction to keep Tom Brady off the field as they appeal this ruling. Basically, he’s playing this season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2015

More importantly, this is just the latest chapter in a series of Goodell losing in court when having suspensions appealed.

Roger Goodell has lost in court to Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, and now Tom Brady.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) September 3, 2015

More from New England Patriots

Home/New England Patriots