The "Deflategate" scandal has brought about criticisms on and close scrutiny of how the NFL is currently being managed. With the media and the public virtually breathing down Commissioner Roger Goodell's neck, every step taken by the organization has been carefully studied prior to its release. In the latest update regarding the scandal that rocked the football world to its core, the NFL announced its decision to uphold the four-game suspension meted against New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
In a report by CNN, it was disclosed that Goodell based his decision to uphold the suspension in May on the new evidence that surfaced during the investigation. Citing that Brady violated the "league's policy on integrity of the game," the NFL commissioner found no other way to resolve the "Deflategate" controversy in a fair and just manner but to suspend the suspected cheating athlete.
"The most significant new information that emerged in connection with the appeal was evidence that on or about March 6, 2015 -- the very day that he was interviewed by Mr. (Ted) Wells and his investigated team -- Mr. Brady instructed his assistant to destroy the cellphone that he had been using since early 2014, a period that included that AFC Championship Game and the initial weeks of the subsequent investigation," wrote Goodell in the final decision issued by the NFL.
In response to the said decision, the Patriots issued their own press release. "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 team stated. Their response went on to say, "We continue to unequivocally believe in and support Tom Brady."
Earlier this year, the match between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC Championship revealed that 11 of the 12 footballs supplied by the latter were underinflated - that is, the SPI measurements of such balls were below that of the required number. Accusations arose that such was done to guarantee that Patriots quarterback Brady will have a firm grip of the balls despite the cold and wet conditions at that time, according to BBC News.
Goodell, in his decision, said that Brady "engaged in conduct detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football" when he became involved with such scheme. As every fan and follower of the NFL would know, the Patriots star is one of the most notable athletes in the league. In fact, he has won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award three times. Needless to say, the decision of Goodell to suspend Brady from four games this season will indubitably cost the Patriots a lot.
Following the release of this decision, Brady's legal team, the Patriots and the NFL Players Association all vowed to appeal the decision. Although the season's opening is getting nearer by the day, it appears that the resolution to this mess is nowhere near the end.
