NFL News: NFLPA Files Appeal Against Tom Brady' Suspension For Deflategate

The NFL Players’ Association has launched an appeal on behalf of New England Patriots’ quarter-back Tom Brady, who has been suspended for four games by the NFL after being found guilty of playing a role in the deflating of footballs used in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts title on Jan. 18.

The Patriots were handed a $1 million fine and lost two drafts picks as part of the punishment for the incident, with two equipment personnel held responsible for deflating the balls also suspended indefinitely. The deadline for Brady to appeal ended on Thursday and the Patriots have until May 21 to appeal their punishment.

11 of 12 footballs used in the game against the Colts were found to be inflated below the league required 12.5 psi. An investigation conducted by Ted Wells found that it was more probable than not that Brady knew about the deflation of footballs, using text messages between locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski, in which Brady reportedly showed anger at the two for the footballs being too inflated in a previous game. Quarter backs tend to prefer lower inflated balls as they are easier to grip.

The appeal will be heard by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell himself, who rejected a request from the NFLPA for an independent arbitrator to hear the appeal. The NFL now has 10 days to schedule a hearing for Brady’s appeal.

"Given the NFL's history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal. If Ted Wells and the NFL believe, as their public comments stated, that the evidence in their report is 'direct' and 'inculpatory,' then they should be confident enough to present their case before someone who is truly independent," the NFLPA said in a press release, as per ESPN.

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