The New England Patriots are refusing to back down from the fight versus Roger Goodell. The "Deflategate" scandal, which dragged on from their AFC face off against the Indianapolis Colts in 2014, once again hounds Tom Brady and his team. In the recent ruling regarding the issue, the four-game suspension of the New England Patriots quarterback was reinstated. Given the status of the team in the NFL, one would assume that the other owners in the league would rejoice over this decision. However, the opposite occurred as Brady received support from opposing teams like the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets.
The "Deflategate" scandal, which effectively ruined the reputation of the only quarterback deemed worthy to stand head to head against Peyton Manning, placed the entire NFL under serious scrutiny. Amid the cheating rumors and accusations, however, the New England Patriots stood by Brady and his skills in the gridiron. With the recent show of support from other team owners, it looks like only Roger Goodell and his panel believe in the guilt of the quarterback.
Despite the show of support to Brady, the NFL stood firm by their move to reinstate the four-game suspension. This means that the New England Patriots will not have a quarterback, at least someone with Brady's experience, in the initial games of the season. In an earlier Gospel Herald report, it was disclosed that the former Super Bowl champs are considering signing Brian Hoyer. The rumored sub, who is fresh off from his stint with the Houston Texans, is no stranger to the New England Patriots. In fact, Hoyer had been with the Brady squad in 2009 until 2012.
"I think the most important thing from the ruling is that the judgment that the district court made last summer was incorrect. They obviously reversed that," said Goodell of the decision on the "Deflategate" scandal. He added, "They reinforced our authority here, and they reinforced the fact that we have the facts correct, that it was a fair process and that we came to the conclusion that they supported. From our standpoint, we think that's the right decision and frankly should have been the decision last time."
Goodell also asserted his firm decision to not reduce the penalty imposed on Brady. This move, he said, will be implemented regardless of the opinions of the NFL team owners. That is, Goodell has no plans of being influenced by other big wigs in the league. Instead, the NFL commissioner has every intention to follow the ruling and not waiver from his stand.
"I listen to everybody, but we've had these discussions," shared Goodell. He continued to say, "This was an issue just about a year ago. When we make these decisions, it's with a tremendous amount of thought, a tremendous amount of consideration. Our staff worked very hard on it, and I think that we have given that full consideration."
