The new NFL season is fast approaching, but it seems like the league can't shake off last season's biggest controversy. The judge overseeing the 'deflategate' scandal has questioned whether the NFL's punishment against New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is supported by evidence.
New York District Judge Richard M. Berman pressured NFL lawyer Daniel L. Nash during a hearing yesterday. "What is the direct evidence that implicates Mr. Brady?" Berman asked.
Nash answered that saying there was "considerable evidence Mr. Brady clearly knew about this," and pointed to records of text messages and phone calls between the quarterback and one of two Patriots employees implicated in the scandal known as "Deflategate."
However, Nash did concede that there was no 'smoking gun' that definitely implicates Brady in the deed.
Judge Berman also questioned the point of the deflated balls, noting that Brady performed better when the balls were re-inflated in the second half:
"You might say (Brady) got no better advantage from the under-inflation," said berman
Alan Milsten, a lawyer who has litigated against the NFL, told Sports Illustrated after the hearing:
"After what we heard today, I think Judge Berman will absolutely vacate Brady's suspension."
The deflategate drama started during the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. During the halftime break of the game, Brady together with members of the Patriots field staff, were accused of conspiring to deflate footballs below the league mandated limited in order to gain a competitive advantage on the field.
The NFL suspended Brady four games for his involvement. It also hit the Patriots organization with a $1 million fine and stripped it's 2016 first round draft pick as well as a fourth rounder in 2017.
The Patriots preseason kicks off Thursday against the Green Bay Packers.
