Goodell to hear appeal
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made it official Tuesday: He will hear Tom Brady’s appeal of his four- game suspension. The league suspended the New England Patriots quarterback for his role in the use of deflated footballs by New England in its AFC Championship Game victory over Indianapolis in January. The players’ union said Goodell should recuse himself from hearing the appeal because he can’t be impartial and could be called as a witness. But Goodell cited the “integrity of the game” and his “responsibility” under the labor agreement to “serve as hearing officer in any appeal involving conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.” Goodell wrote to Brady on Tuesday, saying “My mind is open.” The appeal will be heard June 23. “I decline to rewrite our collective bargaining agreement to abrogate my authority and discretion to hear any appeal in a conduct detrimental proceeding,” Goodell said in response to the NFL Players Association’s demand that he recuse himself. “I am not a necessary or even an appropriate witness, much less a ‘ central witness,’ as the NFLPA contends. Accordingly, there is no basis upon which I could properly be asked to testify in the appeal proceeding, which … is designed to afford Mr. Brady an opportunity to bring new or additional facts or circumstances to my attention for consideration.” The union did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brady is going ahead with his appeal even as the Patriots are not challenging the $ 1 million fine and loss of two draft choices ( first- rounder in 2016, fourth- rounder in 2017) the league gave them.
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe walked gingerly off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice field Tuesday with back pain, and linebacker Derrick Johnson sat out with inflammation in his knee. The Chiefs were getting back to work with the second week of organized team activities when Poe walked off the field. A team spokesman did not say how long he might be out. Johnson worked out last week. He missed nearly all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon. Wide receiver Chris Conley was back on the field after missing time last week to attend the NFL’s rookie premier, while linebacker Justin Houston remained absent from the voluntary workouts after getting the franchise tag earlier this offseason.
The St. Louis Rams have added former Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia to the coaching staff as an offensive assistant. Garcia will primarily assist wide receivers coach Ray Sherman. The move was announced on Tuesday. Garcia was with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL last year, and previously tutored NFL quarterbacks Mark Sanchez, Tyrod Taylor and Matt McGloin. Garcia was a four- time Pro Bowler and played for the 49ers, Browns, Lions, Eagles and Buccaneers.
A lawyer for the estranged heirs of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says the courtroom was “somber” and “emotional” as his clients began testifying about their patriarch’s mental state. Taking the witness stand on Tuesday were Benson’s daughter, Renee, and his granddaughter, Rita LeBlanc. The pair, along with Renee Benson’s son, Ryan LeBlanc, claim in a lawsuit
filed in January that Tom Benson was not of sound mind when he ousted them from ownership positions five months ago, instead leaving his third wife in position to take over. Renee Benson answered questions from both sides’ lawyers for about five hours. Rita LeBlanc took questions from her attorney and is expected to undergo cross examination today. The trial is closed to the public and participants are under a gag order.