Goodell, Citing CBA And 'Common Sense,' Will Not Recuse Himself From Brady Hearing
BOSTON (CBS) – Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension for his role in DeflateGate will be heard by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who said in a letter to the NFLPA that he will not recuse himself.
Goodell said the Players Association's request for him to recuse himself goes against the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
"Based on the unambiguous language and structure of the CBA, as well as common sense, I conclude that none of the arguments advanced by the NFLPA has merit," Goodell wrote.
Brady's appeal has been scheduled for June 23 and, if necessary, June 25, and the NFLPA had said it plans to call Goodell as a key witness.
In declining to recuse himself, Goodell said there was no reason he should be called as a witness, "much less a 'central witness.'
"This recusal motion, and others like it, represent nothing more than an effort by the NFLPA to renegotiate Article 46 of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, signed in August 2011," said Goodell.
"Because protecting the integrity of the game is the Commissioner's most important responsibility, I decline to rewrite our Collective Bargaining Agreement to abrogate my authority and 'discretion' to hear 'any appeal' in a conduct detrimental proceeding."