New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and commissioner Roger Goodell were in New York City on Wednesday to argue about Deflategate in court, according to Bleacher Report.
Brady is arguing against a four-game suspension leveled at him for the role he is alleged to have played in the scandal. "Is there a text in which Mr. Brady instructs someone to put a needle in a football? No, there is no such direct evidence," NFL attorney Daniel Nash said. Roger Goodell is upholding Brady's suspension, and now both sides will attempt to reach an agreement in the courtroom.
The Deflategate scandal, in which the New England Patriots football team is accused of tampering with footballs, occurred during the American Football Conference Championship Game on Jan. 18. Brady is alleged to have known that the balls were deflated for the game. This practice would, in theory, make the balls easier for the quarterback to handle. However, as the judge pointed out, Brady's performance in the game was better before the balls were deflated.
During the preceedings, Judge Richard Berman questioned why Tom Brady destroyed his cell phone shortly after the scandal broke. "You're right, it could have been done a different way," attorney Jeffrey Kessler said, according to Portland Press Herald.
After the public hearing, both Brady and Goodell were detained for private settlement discussions. No agreement has been reached, and they are expected to meet again next week, according to ESPN. The NFL has sued to ensure that Brady's punishment is carried out, which sparked a counter-suit from the players' union to put both sides in the courtroom.
