Roger Goodell will hear Patriots' QB Tom Brady's Deflategate appeal
In an unexpected development, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will hear Tom Brady's appeal in the ongoing Deflategate saga, the league announced in a statement as first reported by Bleacher Report.
The NFLPA filed the appeal on behalf of Brady earlier Thursday following his suspension Monday for the first four games of the 2015 NFL season.
The punishment came as a direct result of a report from attorney Ted Wells that suggested "it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate effort to circumvent the rules" and that it is probable that Brady "was at least generally aware of... the release of air from Patriots game balls."
Brady’s agent, Don Yee, called the suspension “ridiculous” earlier this week.
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In hearing the case, Goodell will exercise his right under the league's 2011 collective bargaining agreement to hear Brady's case instead of either an independent or NFL-affiliated arbiter. The NFLPA had requested in its appeal that a neutral arbiter hear Brady's case.
"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.
Patriots' employees James McNally and John Jastremski were also both suspended indefinitely from all team activities without pay in the wake of the Wells Report.
The NFL is obligated to hear Brady's appeal within 10 days of its filing.
