Report: Lawyers advise Roger Goodell to hear Tom Brady's appeal
It appears the NFL will deny the NFLPA's request for commissioner Roger Goodell to recuse himself from hearing the appeal of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension.
Lawyers reportedly advised Goodell not to recuse himself from hearing the appeal, according to ESPN.
Multiple reports surfaced on Friday, stating that the NFL would reject the NFLPA's motion for Goodell to remove himself from Brady's appeal. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Goodell holds the power to serve as an arbitrator in all disciplinary appeals.
The league is denying that a final decision has been made.
Explaining discrepancy: Technically, Goodell hasn’t made it official. His lawyers submitted paperwork stating his view to not recuse himself
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 22, 2015
Brady was suspended four games after the findings of the Wells Report, and New England was fined $1 million and forfeited its 2016 first-round pick and 2017 fourth-round pick.
NFLPA is declining comment on NFL's decision to turn down their request for Roger Goodell to recuse himself from the Brady appeal.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 22, 2015
"The players also believe that the commissioner's history of inconsistently issuing discipline against our players makes him ill-suited to hear this appeal in a fair-minded manner," the NFLPA said in a press release Tuesday. "If the NFL believes the Ted Wells report has credibility because it is independent, then the NFL should embrace our request for an independent review."
The reigning Super Bowl MVP retained Jeffrey Kessler on behalf on the NFLPA in his appeal. Kessler represented Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Greg Hardy in their respective suspension appeals against the league.
A date for the appeal hasn't been set.