NFL to ask US court to restore Brady’s ‘Deflategate’ suspension

NEW YORK — A US appeals court in New York Thursday heard testimony in the long-running “Deflate-gate” saga Thursday, with the NFL seeking the restoration of its four-game ban of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Brady was banned for his alleged knowledge that footballs used by the Patriots in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts in January of 2015 were purposely deflated below league minimums. In September, district judge Richard M. Berman vacated the suspension and Brady played all of the 2015 season, a punishment the league wants restored. Neither Brady nor NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was present at the hearing before the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, which lasted a little over an hour. Lead NFL attorney Paul Clement requested a quick resolution from the judges. “It would be an awful shame if this issue has to hang over the league for another season,” Clement said. “End it now.” The judges quizzed Clement about the severity of the sanction, and also took up the matter of Brady’s actions while he knew he was being investigated. Judge Barrington Parker Jr. mentioned Brady destroying his cell phone before meeting with NFL investigator Ted Wells. “Anyone within 100 yards of this case would have known that the cell phone issue elevates this merely from deflated balls to a serious tone of obstruction,” Parker said in court. NFL Players Association attorney Jeffrey Kessler attempted to defend Brady’s action and was interrupted by Parker. “With all due respect, Mr. Brady’s explanation made no sense whatsoever,” Parker said. The victory over Indianapolis in the “Deflate-gate” game sent the Patriots to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the Seattle Seahawks. It was not clear how quickly the appeals panel will rule on the issue. — AFP