New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives at Federal court in New York, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015. Even as negotiations aimed at settling “Deflategate” drag on, lawyers are seeking every legal advantage in a quest to win over a federal judge. Repeating arguments they made at a hearing last week, lawyers are sending Judge Richard Berman letters reminding him of their legal positions. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Mr. “I’m loving the controversy,” Patriots’ QB Tom Brady was given a BIG BREAK in federal court in NYC, yesterday. Federal court judge Richard Berman ordered the NFL to lift the four-game suspension on Brady?! The court is not admonishing guilt, but instead says that the NFL did not follow proper protocol in “attempting” to collect evidence in this case. Judge Berman states that the NFL did not notify Brady of direct accusations against him and warn him on direct consequences for non-compliance. Read more below… and check out the UPDATE!
Tom Brady (l.) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (r.) cameo photo from the past.
I 100% disagree with the courts decision because information did not become available for ‘proper reaction’ until the NFL found out that Brady destroyed his cellphone. The NFL wasn’t going by the book in order to give Brady some space, but the lack of compliance shows guilt. I think in this case that the judge should have Brady’s text messages located through the cellphone company, and find out what he was so inclined to hide. I do not believe in some of the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell’s decisions, but Brady makes a joke of the game when he is already winning games (and the Super Bowl). I say to Brady, #StopTheNonsense and grow up! If I was the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association), I would have told him to take a hike in the first place. This is just ridiculous, and an absolute embarrassment to the game.
Roger Goodell is expected to file an appeal on the decision. Check out the original scenario right here!
UPDATE: Considering that Brady has made the NFL a lot of money in the past, I have changed my position in this case. I still believe that Brady is quite “quirky” and implored the “Deflategate” scandal as a distraction right before the Super Bowl, and as a result (in addition to the prior “Spygate” scandal) a total embarrassment to the NFL! I don’t care how many owners you know, or how tight of a hold the Patriots lawyers have over the NFL and the NFLPA, they need to CUT THE NONSENSE! They are a winning team already that has a lot of draw with star players coming out of their prime, so why the circus stuff? On reconsideration, I believe he should have been given a two-game suspension. It’s not that detrimental to the season or Playoffs, and considering Brady made a complete mockery of the Playoffs with his stunt it is quite reasonable.