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Brady appeal begins at NFL headquarters

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady poses with NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell during a news conference after NFL football's Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix, Ariz. Brady's appeal hearing is Tuesday, June 23, 2015, in New York, and one of his main arguments in contesting the four-game ban for using underinflated footballs in the AFC title game is Goodell's role in the matter. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady poses with NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell during a news conference after NFL football's Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix, Ariz. Brady's appeal hearing is Tuesday, June 23, 2015, in New York, and one of his main arguments in contesting the four-game ban for using underinflated footballs in the AFC title game is Goodell's role in the matter. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

By Associated Press June 23, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Tom Brady and representatives from the players’ union are meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell at NFL headquarters as the New England quarterback appeals his four-game suspension.

Brady was suspended by the league for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC championship game win over Indianapolis. He arrived at the NFL’s Park Avenue offices Tuesday morning, as did attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is leading Brady’s defense.

The NFL Players Association had asked Goodell to recuse himself from hearing the appeal because he could not be impartial and might be called as a witness. But Goodell said it was his responsibility to oversee the hearing to protect the integrity of the league.

Based on the league-sanctioned Wells report, Brady was suspended and the Patriots were fined $1 million and docked a pair of draft picks.

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