Roger Goodell won’t recuse himself in Tom Brady’s appeal case
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has rejected the NFL Players’ Association’s request that he recuse himself from Tom Brady’s appeal case.
“I am not a necessary or even an appropriate witness, much less a ‘central witness’ as the NFLPA contends,’’ Goodell wrote in his response to the NFLPA. “I do not have any first-hand knowledge of any of the events at issue. (That fact makes this matter very different from the Rice appeal, in which there was a fundamental dispute over what Mr. Rice told me in a meeting at the league office.) Nor did I play a role in the investigation that led to Mr. Brady’s discipline.
“As I have said publicly, I very much look forward to hearing from Mr. Brady and to considering any new information or evidence that he may bring to my attention. My mind is open; there has been no ‘prejudgment’ and no bias that warrants recusal.’’
The NFLPA asked for Goodell to appoint a neutral arbiter when the appeal was first filed, but Goodell opted to appoint himself, much to the dismay of the union.
The NFLPA then issued a statement requesting Goodell recuse himself, arguing, “Given a process that has contained procedural violations of our collective bargaining agreement, the Commissioner’s role as a central witness in the appeal hearing and his evident partiality with respect to the Wells report, the Commissioner must designate a neutral party to serve as an arbitrator in this matter.’’
Brady was suspended for four games for his role in the Deflategate scandal, while the Patriots were fined $1 million and docked two draft picks. Brady’s appeal will be heard on June 23rd.
Collection of other Goodell punishments
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