SAN FRANCISCO — Roger Goodell sounds prepared to hear New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s side of Deflategate.
The commissioner spoke as the NFL Spring Meeting wrapped up Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton, and he said he’s following procedure as he plans to serve as arbitrator in Brady’s appeal.
“One of the primary responsibilities for the commissioner is to protect the integrity of the game and do what’s right for the game of football,” Goodell said. “That’s my job, and I’ve made this clear at the Super Bowl, that’s our job to determine if there’s violations of our rules, of our policies and procedures, and to enforce those.
“It’s my job here to make sure I protect the integrity of the game, protect our policies, our procedures. We have a process that’s been negotiated with the union, in place, that’s been in place for decades. It’s my responsibility and it’s something we’ve had in place for a long time, and we’re going to do it that way, unless there’s some other factor I’m not aware of. We’ll deal with it. I haven’t been able to see any of these issues the union might have sent over the last 24 hours.”
Goodell claims he’s been so wrapped up in the league meeting that he hasn’t had a chance to see the letter the NFL Players Association sent asking him to recuse himself as arbitor.
“I haven’t been able to, I think the specific question asked is that I haven’t had a chance to understand, I believe it came in yesterday,” Goodell said about the letter. “I’ve been focused on our league meeting. I said that when we get back tomorrow, I’ll give due consideration and full consideration to that and we’ll handle it appropriately. So, those are things that I just need to get back with our staff. I’ve been focused on the league meetings for the past two days.”
Goodell will give Brady a chance to bring any new information that wasn’t in the Wells Report. He also reiterated the quarterback’s lack of cooperation in turning over his phone weighed into the NFL’s decision to suspend him four games.
“We have a process here. It’s long established,” Goodell said. “I look forward to hearing directly from Tom if there’s new information or there’s information that can be helpful to us in getting this right. I want to hear directly from Tom on that.”
Goodell said he doesn’t know if a date has been set for Brady’s appeal. The commissioner also ran through the NFL’s process for doling out punishment. He reiterated it was NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent’s decision to suspend Brady, fine the Patriots $1 million and strip the team of a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and a fourth-rounder in 2017.
“Once we had the Wells Report, our staff, led by Troy Vincent, who handles these matters on a regular basis and has all spring, immediately began meetings,” Goodell said. “I participated in some of those meetings, so I understood the discussion they were having. Troy made a recommendation, I authorized him to go ahead and issue that as I do in every case.”
