NEW YORK — Tom Brady will appeal his four-game suspension by the NFL, seeking a second hearing before a circuit court.
The decision by the New England Patriots quarterback was confirmed Monday by the NFL Players Association. If the appeal is denied by the full panel, Brady could try to take his case to the Supreme Court.
The court ruled 2-1 on April 25 that Commissioner Roger Goodell was within his rights to suspend Brady for four games for his role in using improperly inflated footballs in the 2015 AFC championship game.
The full court in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rarely reconsiders cases. But pushing this matter forward could be an attempt to pressure Goodell into a settlement so another NFL season is not dominated by talk of deflated footballs.
Brady has added lawyer Ted Olson to his legal team. Olson and union chief DeMaurice Smith appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, saying they plan to ask for a new hearing before the entire 13-judge circuit.
Olson has experience arguing in front of the Supreme Court, including the Bush v. Gore case that settled the 2000 presidential election. Olson also was involved in the case that overturned California's ban on same-sex marriages.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.