Further a full 60 percent said they wouldn’t call the Patriots cheaters over the incident.

ESPN conducted a survey of 100 players on the “DeflateGate” issue on August 12. He says similar cases are usually resolved by a judge if they are not settled.

Not only that, but the NFL also won’t want to lose all credibility by giving in completely to Brady while at the same time penalizing Bob Kraft and the Patriots a league-record $1 million fine and two high draft picks for the same allegation.

NEW YORK (AP) – A federal judge put the NFL on the defensive over its four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during an open court session.

“Commissioner Goodell concluded in his decision that Brady was aware of, and took steps to support‎, the actions of other team employees to deflate game footballs”, a statement from the NFL said. Yahoo! Sports’ Frank Schwab reported on the matter. But Judge Berman appears determined to leave laughing. The settlement conference ended after about 7 1/2 hours.

Berman asked lawyers for the NFL Players Association why Brady had broken a cell phone that was central to the investigation.

When you go up against Tom Brady, Mr. Perfect, it’s hard to look good.

After all, the findings in the Ted Wells Report that led to Brady’s suspension would never hold up in the court of law.

Somehow, we think Tom will get over it. But not before the Internet has a little more fun with the odd rendering.

“You might say (Brady) got no better advantage from the under-inflation”, the judge said. This same authority is clearly stated in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.

The court official said the parties are not expected to meet with Berman Friday. He asked why two Patriots locker room attendants would deflate footballs.

But rules are there for a reason, and not even Brady, Belichick and the Patriots are above them.

Despite pressure, Brady just won’t budge.

Yee adds the electronic data presented in Brady’s defense was ignored during the appeal hearing.

Berman challenged the league and Brady during the public hearing lasting more than an hour, belittling the drama of the controversy over whether Brady cheated by using underinflated footballs in the AFC championship game in January.