• March 28, 2024

Tom Brady’s 4 Game Suspension Likely to be Reinstated

Tom-Brady-AP-jpg

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals had a three judge panel hearing the NFL’s case in the ball tampering probe.  The judges have not issued a ruling but considering statements made by all three judges, the Patriots and Tom Brady will lose and the NFL could once again impose the four game suspension for Brady.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Judge Denny Chin:

“The evidence of ball tampering is compelling if not overwhelming.”

Judge Barrington Parker said that Tom Brady destroying his cell phone for “security reasons” makes no sense at all.

Jeffrey Kessler, the president of the Player’s Association said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell does not have blanket authorization to mete out punishment for equipment infractions.  But Judge Robert Katzmann, replied with:

“Isn’t that why the language in the agreement gives the commissioner broad authority for dealing with conduct detrimental?”
So, all three judges obviously side with the NFL in the case, meaning the only avenue left would be the Supreme Court, who would probably refuse to take the case.  Brady was originally scheduled for a 4 game suspension to start the 2015 schedule but that was overturned in a lower court ruling and a stay was placed on the NFL, preventing them from carrying out the suspension.  They appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  There is no timetable for a final ruling but sources say the NFL would like the decision before the season starts in September.

Brady had maintained that he had no contact with the two club employees who were involved in the scandal, yet he gave autographed footballs and sneakers to  locker room attendant Jim McNallysometime after the game.  There were also text exchanges between locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski.

OCT. 24, 2014 McNally: Better be surrounded by cash and newkicks….or its a rugby sunday McNally:

(Expletive) tom Jastremski: Maybe u will have some nice size 11s in ur locker

JAN. 7, 2015 McNally: Remember to put a couple sweet pig skins ready for tom to sign

Jastremski: U got it kid…big autograph day for you

McNally: Nice throw some kicks in and make it real special

Jastremski: It ur lucky. 11? McNally: 11 or 11 and half kid

Brady also denied preferring underinflated balls but the NFL found an interview from 2012 in which Brady said:

“I didn’t see it. I mean, he spikes it every time he scores, so I don’t know if that’s flagrant or what.  When Gronk scores — it was like his eighth touchdown of the year — he spikes the ball and he deflates the ball. I love that, because I like the deflated ball. But I feel bad for that football, because he puts everything he can into those spikes.”

The NFL will wait for the final ruling before any punishment is enforced.

 

 

 

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