Patriots File Amicus Brief Supporting Tom Brady's Deflategate Suspension Appeal

The New England Patriots filed an amicus brief Wednesday as part of their support of quarterback Tom Brady's appeal of a four-game suspension for his role in the Deflategate saga.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news, indicating the brief was filed to support the appeal filed Monday by the NFL Players Association on Brady's behalf.

Schefter also passed along an excerpt from the amicus brief outlining New England's rationale for filing:

The Deflategate controversy began all the way back in the 2015 AFC Championship Game, when the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7.

New England was accused of knowingly deflating footballs for a competitive advantage in the inclement weather.

The whopping 243-page Wells Report, released in May 2015, found Brady was probably "at least generally aware" of the Pats deflating footballs.

Brady managed to avoid a four-game suspension last season but is on the hook to miss the first quarter of the 2016 season for now. The Patriots do have three home contests in that span, including two division games, which will likely be started by 2014 second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo in Brady's absence.