The NFL Players Association, on Tom Brady’s behalf, has formally filed an appeal of the NFL’s decision to suspend him four games in the wake of DeflateGate. Despite the NFLPA calling for a neutral arbitrator in the case, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has decided to hear the appeal, according to Mike Freeman.
Roger Goodell will hear Tom Brady’s DeflateGate appeal
Tom Brady will appeal the four-game suspension handed to him by the NFL for his alleged knowledge that Patriots equipment personnel intentionally deflated game balls. The NFLPA called for a neutral arbitrator on his behalf, but the commissioner will hear the appeal.
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The NFL Players Association released a statement on Brady’s behalf, saying “given the NFL’s history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal.”
However, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed that Goodell has decided to hear the case himself. “Commissioner Goodell will hear the appeal of Tom Brady’s suspension in accordance with the process agreed upon with the NFL Players Association in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement,” he said in a statement.
Last week, an investigation by Ted Wells determined that it "was more probable than not" that Brady was aware that two New England Patriots locker room attendants had plans to deflate game balls before the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts.
Brady’s decision to appeal comes as little surprise. In a statement, the agent of the quarterback admonished the Wells report, saying, “In my opinion, this outcome was pre-determined; there was no fairness in the Wells investigation whatsoever.”
Recently, ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke with a source who believed that Brady’s suspension would be overturned upon appeal. Brady will certainly have a lot of support. On Thursday, the Patriots made it clear that they disagreed with Wells’ findings, unveiling a website -- wellsreportcontext.com -- that attempts to dismantle many of the arguments made in the investigation.
Although a date for the hearing has not been set, Albert Breer reported that it will likely take place in June.
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