Tom Brady Won't Accept Any Suspension From Deflategate Scandal

Reports earlier yesterday suggested that Tom Brady would be willing to accept a lighter sentence as a part of a settlement with the NFL in regards to the now legendary Deflategate scandal. It was suggested that he might accept a suspension with regards to a lesser charge of not cooperating with an NFL investigation but under no circumstances was he going to admit to the allegations in the Wells Report. A source for the Boston Herald said that under no circumstances would he accept any part of a suspension.

Both sides today presented their most compelling arguments and Judge Richard Berman, the presiding judge, trying to arbitrate some sort of agreement or, at least, put a settlement in motion, poked holes in the arguments of both sides. At stake is more than the four game suspension handed down and then reaffirmed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Ultimately, Goodell's reign as commissioner is on the line as well. Until now, the league's disciplinarians have ruled unchecked and unquestioned. Drunk on their own hubris, they sought to flex their might and go after the NFL poster boy, Tom Brady.

Judge Berman was less than impressed with their case. Questioning the NFL's counsel, Berman began to open holes that even Roger Goodell could run through.

The USA Today article covering the proceedings shares some of the back and forth: "'How could Mr. Goodell, in his decision to uphold the (four-game suspension), equate the act of intentionally deflating footballs to a player taking performance-enhancing drugs?'"

"'Mr. Goodell found that the deflation of the balls was to gain a competitive advantage, which he deemed an example of conduct detrimental to the league," Nash said. "The judgment involves the integrity of the game'."

"'I have a little trouble with that," Berman responded. "Everything involves the integrity of the game.'

"Nash, again, didn't have an answer."

The NFL gambled big and it looks as if they may lose.