10 hours did Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his legal team spend at NFL Headquarters in New York City yesterday to appeal his four game suspension for Brady's alleged role in the DeflateGate scandal/farce.
So, what did we learn?
Not much actually, as it seems that the league's leak machine is currently working at a slower-than-normal pace. There are still a few points we can look at, though.
1) Brady's fate now lies in commissioner Goodell's hands
After the 10 hour meeting yesterday, Brady now has to wait for the arbitrator – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell – to make a decision about the suspension. We do not know when that will be the case (the Cowboys' Greg Hardy still waits for a decision four weeks after his hearing) but we do know that no further meetings are scheduled. There was the possibility of a second hearing on Thursday but apparently all major points were addressed in yesterday's marathon session.
2) Tom Brady was his own greatest ally
Brady, who gave at least parts of his testimony under oath, was present during the entirety of the hearing. He gave an "A+ performance", according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and "had an explanation for everything that went on in the Wells report". What those explanations were, is not known (at least at this point in time) but according to Schefter, Brady's performance makes life harder for Goodell.
3) There were a lot of people in that hearing room
According to reports, there were around 40 people present at the hearing. Due to that, the session had to be re-located to one of 345 Park Avenue's multi-purpose rooms in the basement.
4) Brady and his team presented a "very compelling case"
Brady's attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who was one of few people to answer questions on his way out of the building, said that he and the rest of Brady's team put in "a very compelling case". Kessler also stated that he does not know a timetable and that the Patriots quarterback was present "until the bitter end".
5) Ted Wells did testify
Wells, the author of the much-maligned "Wells report" also spoke with reporters on his way out: he said that he testified during the hearing. That was all the attorney had to say.
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With Brady's appeal hearing over, we now have to wait for Roger Goodell to make his decision on how to handle Brady's suspension (which, if Brady decides to take this case to court, could be used as key evidence). Until a decision is announced, we can hopefully go back to focus on the game of football.