Brady appeal hearing under way in New York


New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

New England quarterback Tom Brady and representatives from the NFL Players’ Union are meeting Tuesday morning with Commissioner Roger Goodell at the league headquarters as the Patriots quarterback begins his appeal of a four-game suspension.

The hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET, gives Brady the chance to convince Goodell to reduce or nullify the suspension.

Goodell is personally hearing the appeal.

Goodell suspended Brady for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game victory over Indianapolis.

The NFLPA has asked Goodell to recuse himself from hearing the appeal because he could not be impartial and might be called as a witness.

Ted Wells, the league’s lead investigator in the “Deflategate” scandal is expected to be present, also.

Wells authored the report that Goodell relied on when he issued the suspension and corresponding punishment for the New England organization.