At the conclusion of the NFL owners’ meeting in San Francisco, Roger Goodell wouldn’t address the issue of whether he’d recuse himself from Tom Brady’s appeal for his four-game suspension in the DeflateGate scandal. But the commissioner did seem open to hearing from the quarterback about any new information in the case, including personal texts or emails that weren’t included in the Wells report.
Roger Goodell could be Tom Brady’s best hope to reduce his suspension
The Patriots quarterback is appealing his four-game suspension for his role in DeflateGate.
“The key for us is to allow any information that Tom Brady and his representatives have,” Goodell told reporters Wednesday. “Is there any new information that he can bring more clarity to or something that wasn’t considered in the Wells report? That’s the reason for the process and why we continue to have an open mind and we’re going to do everything possible to understand all the facts.”
Goodell noted that he has great admiration for Brady, but the commissioner confirmed that Brady’s non-cooperation was a factor in the discipline handed out.
When asked on Wednesday about the NFLPA’s demand for him to step aside, Goodell essentially sidestepped the question and declined to comment. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Goodell said that he hasn’t had a chance yet to study the union’s official request.
“Obviously when we get back tomorrow,” he said, “we will focus on that and give it full due consideration and make sure that we do the appropriate thing.”
The commissioner also acknowledged that the decision by Patriots owner Robert Kraft to not pursue an appeal was his alone, and that it will not affect Brady's case. Although they had many discussions, it was Kraft's choice to formally back down from any further litigation with the league. "I certainly admire the step he took. We may disagree on things but that's not unusual. It happens."
Goodell also shot down a report from last week that claimed the NFL had forced the Patriots to suspend the two employees at the center of the investigation, Jim McNally and John Jastremski. Goodell reiterated that the league was not involved at all in the team’s decision to suspend the two staffers.
SB Nation presents: How Pats fans feel about the Wells Report
See More:
