Tom Brady's 'Deflategate' ban blots NFL career, says Richard Graves
Wednesday 29 July 2015 13:29, UK
Tom Brady's four-game suspension is upheld and although his fight to clear his name will continue, Richard Graves says 'Deflategate' is seriously threatening his reputation...
For the second time inside three months Brady has been found guilty of conduct detrimental to the game following his role in the 'Deflategate' scandal.
In rejecting the NFL star's appeal against the four-game ban imposed in May, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell concluded: "Brady’s deliberate destruction of potentially relevant evidence went beyond a mere failure to cooperate in the investigation and supported a finding that he had sought to hide evidence of his own participation in the underlying scheme to alter the footballs."
The evidence Goodell refers to is a mobile phone, containing text messages made over a four-month period covering the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, which the New England Patriots quarterback instructed his assistant to destroy despite being aware the Ted Wells led investigation had asked for information from it - information which only came to light on June 18.
It's a damning verdict against one of the most recognisable faces in the NFL and one which has led to question marks over a career that seems destined to finish in the Hall of Fame.
February's dramatic win over the Seattle Seahawks was Brady's fourth Super Bowl triumph and the third time he's been named the Super Bowl MVP.
He's the face of the Patriots' franchise but as things stand they'll begin the defence of their crown with Jimmy Garropolo at QB when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in September.
This isn't the end of the matter though with Brady's agent, Don Yee, calling the appeal process "a sham" and claims Goodell's decision itself "diminishes the integrity of the game".
Brady (through the NFL Players Association) will fight the ruling and seek an injunction to delay the suspension in a federal court on Wednesday, likely in Minnesota where the NFLPA have had favourable rulings against the NFL in the past.
If granted it would mean he's free to play until the matter is resolved. The NFL has already moved to counter any challenge by seeking confirmation of the suspension in a Manhattan court, arguing Brady is bound by the Collective Bargaining Agreement agreed with the NFLPA.
'Deflategate' overshadowed the build-up to Super Bowl XLIX and six months on it remains the biggest story in the NFL with the new season a little over seven weeks away.
