Court rejects Tom Brady’s appeal of ‘Deflategate’ suspension

“Assuming Brady’s case is not heard by the Supreme Court, he will be suspended for the Patriots’ first four games of the season – the opener at Arizona and home games against Miami, Houston, and Buffalo”.

That petition for a re-hearing before the full court has been denied, therefore Brady’s suspension is still on.

Brady’s remaining hope is to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

As it stands, Brady is eligible to return Week 5 against the Browns. We have a broken system that must be fixed.

The NFL penalized Brady, twice the league’s most valuable player, after a lawyer it hired to investigate the incident said the quarterback was “generally aware” two Patriots employees had conspired to deflate the balls, which could make them easier to grip. If Brady petitions the highest court, his legal team could first ask the 2nd Circuit court for a stay of its decision. “Per NFL rules, Brady will not be allowed to appear at the Patriots facility or have any contact with the team, including the coaching staff, during the four-week suspension”. Brady has denied any involvement. At this point, Brady and his camp are mostly out of options.

The 11-time Pro Bowler was initially suspended for the first four games of the 2015 campaign, but U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman overturned the ban prior to the start of the season. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would take over in those games. His renegotiated deal deferred $8 million of his 2016 salary.