NFLPA Files Opposition to NFL Motion to Uphold Tom Brady Deflategate Suspension

The NFL Players Association officially filed its new brief on behalf of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, further arguing against the NFL's decision to suspend Brady for the first four games of the 2015 regular season.

NFL Network's Albert Breer provided the preliminary statement from the NFLPA:

The union uploaded a full copy of its motion online, which Breer helpfully summarized:

This comes after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the four-game suspension issued against Brady. The NFLPA wasted little time filing a lawsuit against the league, and the two parties had a hearing Wednesday at a U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

In its brief, the players' union doesn't mince words, calling the investigation against Brady a "smear campaign" and "a propaganda piece written for public consumption." 

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The NFL's seismic shifts are nothing short of breathtaking. Having publicly touted the "independence" of the Wells Report and Paul, Weiss as the linchpin of the purported fairness of the discipline, the "independent" Report has now been relegated to "thorough," the "independent" law firm has been relegated to "experienced and highly respected professionals," and the whole facade of "independence" has been relabeled "irrelevant."

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Bill Simmons is among many Patriots fans crying foul regarding Goodell's role in the decision-making process:

The NFLPA also draws attention to testimony from Ted Wells, who led the investigation into Brady's involvement into the intentional deflating of footballs. Much was made of how Brady destroyed his cellphone, thus eliminating any potentially incriminating evidence contained therein.

Wells testified Brady wasn't aware a suspension could loom if he opted to withhold any evidence from his phone or personal communication devices.

"I want to be clear—I did not tell Mr. Brady at any time that he would be subject to punishment for not giving—not turning over the documents," Wells said. "I did not say anything like that."

In general, sports law specialist Gabe Feldman didn't see much in the brief that expanded upon the case the players' union has already made:

Unless the NFL and NFLPA reach a settlement, District Court Judge Richard Berman could reach a verdict in the case by Sept. 4.

That deadline would allow the Patriots roughly a week to prepare with or without their starting quarterback for their first game of the 2015 regular season on Sept. 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.