Patriots join ‘Deflategate’ fight in court for the 1st time

The New England Patriots joined the latest "Deflategate" appeal to support Tom Brady on Wednesday, taking sides with their star quarterback in court for the first time in his fight against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. In an eight-page friend of the court brief filed with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals , the Patriots said they "stand to lose their All-Pro quarterback for 25 percent of the upcoming regular season based on a severely flawed process."

Suspension of Brady on hold again

Tom Brady's lawyers asked a federal appeals court for a new hearing before an expanded panel of judges, telling them Monday that it's not just a silly dispute over underinflated footballs - it's the basic right to a fair process that is shared by all union workers. Setting the stage for the Deflategate scandal to stretch into its third season, and putting Brady's four-game suspension back in the hands of the courts, the players union asked all 13 judges of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the case that a three-judge panel decided in the league's favor.

Still plenty of air in ‘Deflategate’ court case

In this Feb. 5, 2012, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after passing to Danny Woodhead for a touchdown during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game against the New York Giants, in Indianapolis. Brady will appeal his four-game suspension by the NFL, seeking a second hearing before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court.