Connect with us

News

NFL Upholds Patriots QB Tom Brady’s Suspension – Steelers Won’t See Him Opening Night

Atlanta Falcons v New England Patriots

The NFL has announced that Patriots QB Tom Brady’s appeal has been denied, and that he will sit for the first four games of 2015, including the NFL season opener on September 8th in Foxboro against the Steelers.

The penalties were issued after NFL-appointed investigator Ted Wells found that Brady was “at least generally aware” of plans made by two team employees to prepare the balls to his liking, below the league-mandated 12.5 pounds per square inch.

The NFLPA appealed Brady’s punishment on three grounds: that only the commissioner has the authority to impose discipline (league vice president Troy Vincent issued the original penalty); the four-game suspension is “grossly inconsistent” with prior treatment of similar alleged conduct; and the discipline is based on the Wells report, which contains insufficient evidence to find Brady in violation of NFL rules.

The union also asked Goodell to recuse himself in favor of a neutral arbitrator, but the commissioner rejected the motion, citing the importance of his duty to safeguard the integrity of the game.

The Patriots were also fined $1 million and docked two draft picks, one of them next year’s first rounder, in the wake of the Wells report findings. Patriots owner Robert Kraft eventually decided not to fight those aspects of the league’s discipline even though he’s adamantly defended his team throughout the course of the Deflategate proceedings.

This is not much of a surprise, but you can bet we’ve not heard the last of the situation, as there’s rumblings that Brady and the Pats are going to continue to push the issue, and take it to an even higher court.

If there’s one thing the Pats should finally learn – cheaters will eventually get caught.

Matt Loede has been in the sports media for over 16 years, with experience covering the MLB, NBA, and NFL. On Sunday’s during football season, you can hear Matt on national networks like Fox Sports Radio, Associated Press, and others. Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, Matt studies and talks football inside and out, and is anxious to share his thoughts and comments with readers on a daily basis.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: NFL Upholds Patriots QB Tom Brady’s Suspension – Steelers Won’t See Him Opening Night | Sports Feedr

  2. DaveB

    July 28, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    The fact that he asked a Patriot assistant to destroy his cell phone knowing full well that the league had asked to see it , tells you all you need to know about this case . He did it and did everything in his power to cover it up . Yes Tom , your legacy is officially tainted .

  3. DrGeorge

    July 31, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Take a look at Christopher Carter’s article on Behind the Steel Curtain regarding the unfettered power of Roger Goodell under the new CBA. Only Pittsburgh voted against it in 2011, after warning the other teams (no doubt based on the heavy fines levied unjustly on Harrison and Ryan Clark among others). Boston sports writers jeered and flung approbrium in Harrison’s direction, calling him “a dirty player, a maniac.” Now that the hammer has fallen on Brady, they are singing another tune in Boston. What goes around … .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Facebook

Archives

Categories

Sports Gab Network

Show Your Team Spirit

Get Your Steelers Tickets

Pittsburgh Steelers Tickets

Steelers Gab Newsletter


Sign up to receive our Steelers Gab newsletter, and keep up to date with all the latest Pittsburgh Steelers news.


Recent Comments

Meta





More in News