After having his petition to the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied Wednesday, Tom Brady’s only remaining option is to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
And it sounds like that’s exactly what the New England Patriots quarterback intends to do.
Brady is expected to appeal his four-game Deflategate suspension to the nation’s highest court, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported shortly after the Second Circuit’s ruling came down, citing a source informed of the QB’s thinking.
Brady’s legal team has 90 days to submit its appeal, per Rapoport, and also could petition for a stay of the quarterback’s suspension, which would allow him to play for the Patriots while his case is being heard.
According to NFL.com, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg would decide on a stay. If she granted it or the court chose to hear his case, Brady likely would be able to play the entire season because of the Supreme Court’s busy schedule. If the stay was denied or the court decided against hearing the case, Brady likely would sit out the four games.
As it currently stands, Jimmy Garoppolo would serve as New England’s starting quarterback for the first four weeks of the season, with Brady eligible to return in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
