Fansided

Tom Brady appeals NFL’s four-game suspension

By Matt Verderame

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) on the field prior to facing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) on the field prior to facing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has officially filed an appeal of his four-game suspension in connection to his alleged role in DeFlateGate, according to the National Football League Players Association. Brady was suspended on Monday by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who also fined the Patriots a sum of $1 million and two draft picks, including a first-round choice in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Initially, the story began when the Indianapolis Colts reported footballs that were underinflated during the AFC Championship game in January. At halftime, the New England footballs were checked and all but one tested below the league-specified minimum for air pressure. New England went on to win the contest 45-7 and advance to the Super Bowl, where it beat the Seattle Seahawks.

Brady denied any knowledge or involvement of the scandal throughout Super Bowl week. However, former FBI investigator Ted Wells was hired by the NFL to do a report on the matter, which Wells released on May 6. The 243-page document released on May 6 implicated Brady, saying that the quarterback was more likely than not to have had knowledge of the situation.

The union is challenging Wells’ findings, and is hoping to get an independent arbitrator for the case, per NFL.com.

"“Given the NFL’s history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal,” the NFLPA said in a statement.“If Ted Wells and the NFL believe, as their public comments stated, that the evidence in their report is ‘direct’ and ‘inculpatory,’ then they should be confident enough to present their case before someone who is truly independent.”"

If the suspension is upheld, it would be the first time Brady has been suspended since entering the league as a sixth-round draft pick out of the University of Michigan in 2000. Brady would miss the season-opener on national television against the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with games versus the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. Ironically, Brady’s scheduled return would be Week 6 against the Colts, the team which reported the issue to begin with.

Home/New England Patriots