Both the NFL and NFL Players Association issued statements Monday following a ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that reinstated Tom Brady’s four-game suspension in connection with Deflategate.
They read as follows:
NFL
“We are pleased the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled today that the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] properly exercised his authority under the collective bargaining agreement to act in cases involving the integrity of the game. That authority has been recognized by many courts and has been expressly incorporated into every collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA for the past 40 years.”
Advertisement
NFLPA
“The NFLPA is disappointed in the decision by the Second Circuit. We fought Roger Goodell’s suspension of Tom Brady because we know he did not serve as a fair arbitrator and that players’ rights were violated under our collective bargaining agreement. Our Union will carefully review the decision, consider all of our options and continue to fight for players’ rights and for the integrity of the game.”