Deflategate: Tom Brady Appeals NFL's Ruling
— -- Tom Brady has filed an appeal to the NFL's ruling in the "Deflategate" scandal.
"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 NFL Players Association said in its statement announcing the 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."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will hear the appeal of Brady's suspension in accordance with the process agreed upon with the NFL Players Association in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.
Brady's appeal comes more than a week after the Patriots' quarterback was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 NFL season following the league’s investigation into the team's use of underinflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game in January.
In a league statement announcing the suspension, Brady’s conduct was described as “detrimental to the integrity of the NFL.”
The team today issued a rebuttal to the findings, according to ESPN.
The Patriots say the conclusions are "incomplete, incorrect and lack context." Specifically, the rebuttal says the report dismissed "scientific explanations for the natural loss of PSI," pounds per square inch.
In addition, they said the text messages exchanged between equipment handlers were humorous, but were interpreted by the report writers as pointing to a plot even though no plot is explicitly discussed in the messages.
When the suspension was announced on May 6, Brady’s agent Don Yee said the punishment "is ridiculous and has no legitimate basis."
"There is no evidence that Tom directed footballs be set at pressures below the allowable limits," Yee said in a written statement. "In fact, the evidence shows Tom clearly emphasized that footballs be set at pressures within the rules. Tom also cooperated with the investigation and answered every question presented to him."
In addition to the penalties against Brady, the Patriots will also be fined $1 million and will have to forfeit a first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft and fourth-round selection in 2017, the league said.
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