A federal judge has overturned the NFL’s four game suspension of Tom Brady, making him eligible to play in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10.
BREAKING: Tom Brady beats NFL in ‘Deflategate’ court case, judge nullifies league’s 4-game suspension.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 3, 2015
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman indicated that the NFL did not properly follow its collective bargaining agreement with its players when it suspended Brady for his alleged role in deflating balls in the AFC Championship game.
Although the “independent” league investigation found that Brady “more probable than not” had a role in the balls being deflated 2 pounds per square inch below what’s required by NFL regulations, Judge Berman found that the report cited “no direct evidence that Brady knew about or authorized it.”
According to a late August court filing, the players union said the suspension demonstrated “a clearly biased agenda — not an effort at fairness and consistency,” and then claimed Goodell’s upholding of the suspension was merely a “smear campaign” and a “propaganda piece written for public consumption,” according to the Associated Press.
The NFL is said to appeal this decision, extending what has been an already exhaustive 8 month saga.
The NFL is likely to appeal Berman’s decision to the second court quickly. Immediate question becomes whether they seek a stay. — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 3, 2015
You take a shot at the champ, you best not miss.
Tom Brady gets the news about his suspension being overruled. pic.twitter.com/CkqDSJu5Of
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) September 3, 2015
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Be better, Goodell.
Bounty gate, Deflate gate, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson penalties all overturned. Time for the NFL to SERIOUSLY revisit their process
— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 3, 2015
[h/t AP] “”