New England Patriots' Tom Brady waits on ‘Deflategate’ appeal decision
Wednesday 24 June 2015 08:37, UK
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady must now wait for the decision of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after his ‘Deflategate’ appeal hearing was held.
Brady was given a four-game ban after an NFL investigation concluded he had knowledge of under-inflated footballs in their victory over Indianapolis in the American Conference final.
Goodell listened to an 11-hour presentation from Brady's lawyers asking him to reconsider the ban he imposed last month for the start of the new season but there is no indication as to how soon Goodell will deliver his decision.
"Tom was here until the bitter end," said Players Association lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, who represented Brady.
"I think we put in a very compelling case."
NFL officials found the Patriots offensive unit, guided by four-time Super Bowl champion Brady, had used balls that were below the minimum inflation levels in the first half of their 45-7 play-off rout of the Colts.
The league conducted an investigation into the matter and a report last month by attorney Ted Wells found it was "more probable than not" that Brady was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" regarding the balls used in the game.
The Patriots were stripped of two draft picks and fined as a result of the findings but they have argued the balls were filled before the game to minimum air levels but their use during the game, plus atmospheric conditions, caused the inflation level to sink below minimums by the time the balls were examined.
One of the criticisms levelled against Brady in the report was that he did not submit text messages and phone records to the investigators but the 37-year-old argued nothing was proven against him and that the punishment was too severe.
Even if Brady fails in his appeal, he would still have the option of taking his case to federal court to try and win his place on the field for the season opener by having the ban overturned or at least delayed.
New England host Pittsburgh on September 10 in the NFL season opener and would also lose him for games at Buffalo on September 20, at home against Jacksonville a week later and October 11 at Dallas.
As things currently stand, Brady would return to action against Indianapolis on October 18.
