Why Tom Brady Should Not Have Been Suspended Essay

Why Tom Brady Should Not Have Been Suspended Researching this topic, I found a few qualified authors that discussed this topic. These authors provide information and statistics on how the NFL handles these issues poorly and why Tom Brady shouldn't have been suspended. These articles also explain how the suspension process went through with in depth facts of the events that happened over the year and a half long scandal. The authors of the articles have qualified opinions about the law and how the league should have handled it due to their policies. On Jan 18, of 2015 the NFL started looking into the Patriots use of deflated footballs used in the AFC championship game against the Colts. Two days later the NFL learned that 11 footballs had

McCann says “from a legal perspective, are many questions on how the NFL handled the controversy.” (Leadbeater 1). Some of the questions arise because of how the NFL handled the evidence, the lack of evidence they had, and how Brady’s punishment was given out. McCann states “NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has too much power in his position, and that’s part of the reason why the league is in the position it is currently in.” (Leafbeater 2). The NFL Players Association is criticized for putting all the power into Goodell’s hands. Goodell has the power of being the judge and the juror, he decides whether or not players be punished and then he decides how long they are going to be suspended or how much they will be fined. The Players Association is blamed for this because, in their last collective bargaining agreement with league officials, they failed to gain any leverage in the sentencing of their players’ punishments. The NFL is also criticized in the handling of Tom Brady’s punishment due to the amount of time it took them to deal out his suspension. McCann said in his interview “The NBA had the story of Donald Sterling’s racial comments handled in less than 72 hours”. (Leadbeater 2). The NFL has had issues dealing with punishments. For example, the NFL has a history of making larger suspensions in small drug offenses than they do for domestic violence charges. Josh Gordon was suspended for the entire 2015 season, while Greg Hardy was only suspended 4 games even though there were graphic images proving the severity of his crime. McCann also criticizes Goodell for not actually being an attorney, and believes “he does not grasp the consistency of transparency and process” (Leadbeater 2). McCann believes the NFL needs to reevaluate its system of player discipline. For all of the injustice going on for the players of the league at this time, the Players Union will