Tom Brady yesterday during an 11-hour hearing with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly had an "explanation for many of the facts and much of the evidence that was introduced" in the Wells Report, which formed the basis for Brady's four-game Deflategate suspension, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Brady during his testimony "was earnest, he was genuine, he looked the commissioner in the eye." Schefter: "The people who saw and listened to Tom Brady came out of that meeting and said on a scale of 1-10, in their words, Tom Brady came in as a 10 -- an A+. Tom Brady ... is one of the most genuine athletes you could want to speak to, and the people that listened to him today in that room offer his explanations felt that his genuineness shined through with NFL officials." It is now up to Goodell "to consider" what Brady said for any possible reduction in punishment ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 6/24). Schefter cited a source as saying that Brady testified "under oath." Sources said that Patriots Owner Robert Kraft "wrote an affidavit to be introduced" into yesterday's appeal, "supporting Brady's character" (ESPN.com, 6/23). A source said that Brady's "greatest ally [yesterday] was Tom Brady." Schefter noted Brady's side claimed that the evidence collected in the report "doesn't prove Brady violated any NFL rules," and that the punishment "is harsher than for similar violations." Brady's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said, "We put in a very compelling case." Kessler added that "no timetable on a decision by Goodell had been given." The principles "headed out" of the "lengthy meeting" just past 8:30pm ET (ESPN.com, 6/23). ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio said he expects Goodell "to act pretty quickly here," as he "realizes time is of the essence." Paolantonio: "They don't want this to linger through the summer and into the fall, but they want to get a quick conclusion to this. The problem is the commissioner's in the corner here. It's going to be difficult for him to figure out a way out and mollify all the parties concerned without this going to court" (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 6/24).
BRADY'S BUNCH: In N.Y., Gary Myers notes Brady put on "what his side called a strong performance" and then "stuck around for the entire proceedings," which lasted 10 hours with an hour for lunch. Kessler: "Tom was here to the bitter end." Myers notes it is "unlikely Goodell will issue a ruling this week and logically he will make it before the Patriots report to training camp on July 29." Attorney Ted Wells "confirmed as he exited that he testified at the hearing" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/24). Also in N.Y., Bart Hubbuch notes Brady "did not speak after his appeal, ducking out though the building’s underground garage to avoid a sizeable crowd of media, fans and onlookers that had assembled outside" (N.Y. POST, 6/24). On Long Island, Neil Best notes the scene outside league HQ "was crowded and chaotic," with TV stations from Boston, N.Y. and national outlets "lining Park Avenue doing live updates" (NEWSDAY, 6/24).
YOU'LL GO DOWN IN HISTORY: USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell wrote Deflategate is "far from the event that will define Brady's career," as there is "too much gray area" (USA TODAY, 6/24). In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes the "only win for Brady now is to have his entire suspension lifted," which would "take 'cheating' off his résumé." But it would also "make Goodell, Wells, and the league look ridiculous, and 31 other NFL owners no doubt would be calling 'bag job,' and wondering why they spent" $5M for the investigation (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/24). Also in Boston, Steve Buckley notes Brady "could always go the next step, which would be a for-real courtroom." Buckley: "If you think this Deflategate business is already a carnival, it’s frightening to think what Brady v. NFL would be like" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/24).
