Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension appeal will be heard June 23
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s appeal to the league for his four-game suspension over Deflategate will be heard June 23, according to NFL.com.
Brady, through the NFL Players Assn., is fighting the suspension handed down by the NFL after it was reported he was “generally aware” that footballs had been tampered with during the AFC championship game Jan. 18.
A spokesman for the NFL Players Assn. said they could not confirm an appeal date at this time.
Commissioner Roger Goodell is set to preside over the hearing. The union has been vocal in its opposition to Goodell, saying an independent arbitrator should handle the matter.
Brady has maintained his innocence about the situation since news broke before Super Bowl XLIX that footballs provided by the Patriots for the AFC title game had been deflated, probably for a better grip in poor weather conditions. New England defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, in the Super Bowl.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft has stood by his quarterback through the scandal. However, he chose not to fight the league on punishments -- a $1-million fine and two docked draft picks -- doled out to the team stemming from Deflategate.
Fans have vigorously defended Brady and the team, including starting a crowdfunding campaign to pay the team’s fine and holding a “Free Tom Brady” rally.
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