Ruling on Tom Brady's Deflategate appeal could come down this week
A ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Tom Brady's four-game suspension from the NFL could come down this week if initial projections about the decision are accurate, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.
The ruling in Brady's request for an en banc hearing was expected to take between three and six weeks, and as of Monday it will be five weeks since the May 23 filing.
Brady is appealing the courts to strike down a four-game suspension NFL commissioner Roger Goodell levied against him for his role in the deflation of footballs during the AFC Championship Game in 2015.
The union is taking an active role in the appeal, citing the commissioner's arbitrary disciplinary rulings as their main reason of protest.
"This Union has always stood for protecting the rights of our members," Smith wrote. "Our filing of this appeal today on behalf of Tom Brady and all NFL players is no different. He was not afforded fundamental fairness and due process as guaranteed by the collective bargaining agreement and case law.
If the suspension is upheld, Brady will miss the first four games of the 2016 season.