Appeals Court: Tom Brady Suspended For 4 Games

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A new twist in a scandal that rocked the NFL. A federal appeals court has ruled that Tom Brady must serve a Deflategate suspension. The decision sides with the league after a lengthy battle with the players' union.

Rick Ritter has more on the critical ruling.

Brady must serve a four game suspension, a decision that puts one of the league's best teams back in the spotlight---but for all of the wrong reasons.

The Deflategate scandal is making headlines yet again...but this time, Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady is on the losing end and hit with a four game suspension.

The scandal was fueled back in 2015 during the AFC championship game against the Colts. Brady and the Patriots are accused of deflating footballs to help them play better. The NFL claimed Brady was aware of the conspiracy, which he denied.

But in a significant decision, a lower court judge ruled against the NFL and sided with Brady, allowing the quarterback to skip any type of suspension.

"I think now the goal is to focus on what my job is and what I need to go out there to do and let the team win," Brady said in 2015.

Monday's ruling overturns last year's and now puts the franchise quarterback on the sidelines for the first four weeks this season.

The NFL players' association is fighting back, saying they're disappointed by the decision and their union will carefully review their options.

The NFL has maintained from the beginning that Brady deserved the suspension. The Patriots team was docked a first round draft pick in the draft coming up this week.