You are applying the standards of a CRIMINAL trial. This isn't a criminal trial. It's not a trial at all. Brady belongs to a private organization that has rules that were agreed to between his union and the league. That agreement allows the commissioner sole discretion in assessing punishment. He nor the league has to PROVE anything. The balls were deflated, no one argues that. There is pretty compelling evidence it wasn't by chance. So if the league has even a reasonable belief that Brady was complicit in it, or even knew about it, the have the right to suspend him, no PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT is necessary.
And if there was a doubt before the appeal was heard, the admittance of Brady destroying his cell phone rather than cooperating with the league as required by his contract, he lost any leniency the commissioner might have offered.
Once again, it wasn't even the act. It was the cover up that got him.
With all due respect, the above is BS. This whole thing is truly "much ado about nothing". Unless and until the NFL decides to check the air pressure in Every ball, before EVERY down in EVERY game consistent perfection will remain elusive. Of course that would be silly and unnecessary.
The NFL is a "sports league" NOT Solomon's High Court, and they are WAY out beyond the reach of their headlights to DECREE that Tom Brady DELIBERATELY CHEATED TO GAIN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE, (without anything but suspicion and speculation to support that accusation) which is exactly what their unproven accusation amounts to.
You are correct in suggesting, "This isn't a criminal trial. It's not a trial at all", but if the NFL, and it's Commissioner, insist on remaining in their (self constructed) "high moral throne" to appease media frenzy, that is very likely where it may wind up. Slander is serious business, and SHOULD requiire proof to trump pompous moral indignation.
