Brady Takes Bigger Hit Than League At Deflategate Appeal Hearing
After a huge win in New York District Court,prior to last season, that helped overturn his 4-game suspension for Deflategate, it seems New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady took a hit from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York today.
As the NFL's appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman's decision to vacate the initial 4-game ban of the future Hall-of-Famer got under way, today, both sides were put against the wall with questions by the three judge panel.
Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann, Judge Barrington D. Parker and Judge Denny Chin all came out on the attack against both the league and Brady's team of lawyers, though many who were there seem to believe things aren't looking so great for TB12.
According to an ESPN report, Judge Chin went as far as to call the evidence that the footballs in question were tampered with "compelling, if not overwhelming."
While the overriding opinion of the day is that things do not look great for Brady, the league's attorneys were also questioned about Commissioner Goodell's handling of the original arbitration and his initial punishment.
While the judges ran both sides through the ringer today, a decision on the appeal is not expected any time soon. It could take anywhere from a few months to into the 2016 season.
Neither Brady not Goodell attended today's hearing.
Here's to holding out hope that Brady is once again cleared of any penalty and allowed to play the game we, in New England, all love to watch him play.