Tom Brady (Photo : REUTERS)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the four-game suspension slapped on Tom Brady, buoyed by his act of destroying his cell phone after investigators requested access to electronic information.
The destruction, reportedly directed by Brady, transpired on or before March 6 when the quarterback met with independent investigator Attorney Ted Wells.
Brady used the said cell phone for four months where he had exchanged around 10,000 text messages, none of which can now be retrieved.
The destruction was only disclosed on June 18, almost four months after the electronic information was requested.
Based on the Wells report and hearing evidence, Goodell concluded that Brady was aware of and supported actions of team employees to deflate the footballs below acceptable levels during the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 18.
The commissioner found the deliberate destruction of of the cell phone was not a mere failure to cooperate in the investigation but that he actively hid evidence of his own participation.
Brady had testified that he routinely destroys or tell his assistant to destroy his cell phones and/or SIM cards when he uses new cell phones.
Brady appealed the suspension five weeks after the hearing.
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA),which is seeking a complete overturn of the decision, is expected to sue the NFL before federal courts.
NFLPA lawyers 's attorneys are looking at holes in the Wells' report, such as lack of evidence on any specific wrongdoing.
In his 243-page report, Wells said that it was more probable than not that the Patriots quarterback was aware of the activities of Patriots employees John Jastremski and Jim McNally, who allegedly deflated the balls.
The report never mentioned specifically what Brady knew or how he could be part of the alleged conspiracy.
They will also question the scientific basis used in the report.
