NFL Players Association Reiterates Roger Goodell Overstepped His Authority By Suspending Tom Brady

In the sports story that refuses to die, the NFL Players Association has filed a brief in response to the NFL’s appeal of the Sept. 3 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman to overturn the league’s four-game suspension of Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady.

While that may sound complex, the basic premise is simple. The NFLPA, and in turn Brady, still believe that the commissioner went beyond his authority handing down a four-game suspension; they maintain that the league has a set punishment schedule of fines that Goodell chose to ignore.

The PA also argues that Brady was denied a fair hearing due to the fact that he was denied access to the Ted Wells’ Report on the footballs in question. The quarterback’s lawyers were also forbidden from questioning NFL general counsel Jeff Pash. Of course, the brief argues that Berman’s decision to negate the suspension should be upheld.

The NFL is able to respond  until Dec. 21 and the appeal is scheduled to be heard March 3, 2016.

Photo:  Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)