Tom Brady Officially Appeals Four-Game Suspension For Deflate-Gate

Photo © Jim Rogash/Getty Images

With just hours before the deadline, Tom Brady and the NFLPA have officially appealed the Patriots’ four-game suspension. On top of this, since the NFL has been mightily inconsistent over the years, the NFLPA demanded an independent arbitrator to be appointed.

“Given the NFL’s history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal,” the NFLPA said. “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 Ted Wells report has come under fire recently, with many claiming that he is not an impartial investigator and the evidence is merely circumstantial. Ted Wells has since fired back: “It is wrong to criticize my independence just because you disagree with my findings.’’

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“All this discussion that people in the league office wanted to put some type of hit on the most popular, iconic player in the league — the real face of the league — just doesn’t make any sense,’’ Wells stated during a press conference. “It’s really a ridiculous allegation.’’ On top of this, Wells points out that the Pats always knew about his relationship with the NFL and never objected to it.

The Patriots has since created a website — The Wells Report Context — which bashes the entire process and Ted Wells himself: claiming how not a single piece of evidence directly pointed to Tom Brady affecting the air pressure and the author’s findings are preposterous. “The conclusions of the Wells Report are, at best, incomplete, incorrect and lack context,” Daniel Goldberg, Patriots’ attorney, wrote.

Now, the next step is for the league to assign an arbitrator, which they have ten days to do so. As for the Patriots punishment of $1 million, a first round 2016 pick and a fourth round 2017 pick, they have until May 21 to file an appeal.

Anthony Falco