Tom Brady to begin 'Deflate-gate' appeal today, Goodell sitting in
NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Brady and representatives from the players' union are meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell at NFL headquarters as the New England quarterback appeals his four-game suspension.
Brady was suspended by the league for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC championship game win over Indianapolis. He arrived at the NFL's Park Avenue offices Tuesday morning, as did attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is leading Brady's defense.
The NFL Players Association had asked Goodell to recuse himself from hearing the appeal because he could not be impartial and might be called as a witness. But Goodell said it was his responsibility to oversee the hearing to protect the integrity of the league.
Based on the league-sanctioned Wells report, Brady was suspended and the Patriots were fined $1 million and docked a pair of draft picks.