Tom Brady’s four-game suspension was vacated Thursday, but unfortunately, the Deflategate story will continue.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the league will appeal U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman’s decision to nullify Brady’s suspension.
“We are grateful to Judge Berman for hearing this matter, but respectfully disagree with today’s decision,” Goodell said in a statement released by the NFL. “We will appeal today’s ruling in order to uphold the collectively bargained responsibility to protect the integrity of the game. The commissioner’s responsibility to secure the competitive fairness of our game is a paramount principle, and the league and our 32 clubs will continue to pursue a path to that end. While the legal phase of this process continues, we look forward to focusing on football and the opening of the regular season.”
This process could take months, and judging by Goodell’s statement, it appears the NFL will not seek a stay of Brady’s suspension, so he will begin the 2015 season as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback.
UPDATE (3:08 p.m.): It’s official.
Thumbnail photo via Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports Images
