Patriots: NFL Is Trying To Destroy Tom Brady's Reputation
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots say they are "extremely disappointed" the NFL upheld Tom Brady's four-game suspension stemming from the DeflateGate scandal.
UPDATE: Tom Brady Releases Statement On Failed Appeal, Cell Phone
Tom Brady and the NFL Player's Association are taking their case to Federal Court in hopes of getting the suspension overturned.
"We are extremely disappointed in today's ruling by Commissioner Goodell," the Patriots said in a statement Tuesday. "We cannot comprehend the league's position in this matter. Most would agree that the penalties levied originally were excessive and unprecedented, especially in light of the fact that the league has no hard evidence of wrongdoing."
The NFL cited Brady's unwillingness to turn over his cellphone, and then destroying the phone in question, during the DeflateGate investigation as the reason the hefty suspension stuck.
"We continue to unequivocally believe in and support Tom Brady," the Patriots statement said. "We also believe that the laws of science continue to underscore the folly of this entire ordeal. Given all of this, it is incomprehensible as to why the league is attempting to destroy the reputation of one of its greatest players and representatives."
The deflategate scandal began on January 18, 2015, the night the Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game. What followed was a five-month investigation by Ted Wells, which deemed it "more probable than not" that two Patriots employees conspired to lower the inflation level of footballs in the AFC Championship Game. The report then determined it "more probable than not" that Brady "was at least generally aware" of their actions.
That led to the four-game ban for Brady. The Patriots were also penalized with the forfeiture of a first-round and fourth-round draft pick, as well as a $1 million fine. That was a punishment which team owner Robert Kraft initially disputed but eventually accepted.
