Tom Brady's lawyer said his client presented a "compelling case" to proclaim his innocence in the Deflategate scandal, but if he simply stuck to his original story about denying involvement, his suspension may stand.
USA TODAY Sports was one of several media outlets covering the appeal of the four-game suspension that the New England Patriots quarterback is serving for his role in a dozen footballs being underinflated during the first half of the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts back in January.
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Brady's hearing before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell lasted more than 11 ½ hours, according to USA TODAY Sports. The NFL reserved time Thursday for any additional testimony, but the case wrapped up Tuesday.
No timetable has been indicated for Goodell's decision.
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Brady did not comment to reporters after the process, but a person with knowledge of Brady's testimony said that the four-time Super Bowl champion stuck to his story since the investigation began that he did not order or even know about any scheme to deflate footballs.
The NFL Players Association had asked Goodell to recuse himself from serving from hearing the appeal but Goodell rejected their request because he wanted to hear from Brady himself.
Whether Brady was asked if he could tell the balls were under-inflated, as Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana said he should is unknown. But if Brady stuck with his story, it's probable that he was asked why he didn't surrender his cell phone to the NFL for inspection.
According to previous reports, the NFL was willing to allow Brady to erase all non-essential phone numbers and text messages not relevant to the case.
Jeffrey Kessler, the lawyer Brady and the NFLPA hired, was smiling as he spoke to reporters after the hearing, the New York Post reported.
"I don't know what the timetable is [for a decision by Goodell], but we feel like we made a very compelling case in there," Kessler said, according to the Post.
Unless Brady had a compelling answer for not cooperating more with the investigation, it's difficult to fathom the NFL dismissing the entire four-game suspension.
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