VIDEO Discussion: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Seems to be holding New England quarterback Tom Brady accountable for Deflategate

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not budged off the 4-game suspension for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The suspension is based on The Wells Report which said Brady probably knew something regarding the New England Patriots' deflation of game balls in the 2014 AFC Championship game vs the Indianapolis Colts. The fact that Brady took three months to reveal that he destroyed his personal cell phone back in March was probably hugely influential in Goodell's decision.

Will New England Patriots' Tom Brady be able to survive DeflateGate?

The Ted Wells Report is in and it’s not looking good for the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. The Wells Report is based on the investigation into the deflation of footballs by the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship game. The Wells Report determined that Tom Brady had more than probable knowledge that the footballs used during the AFC Championship game were deflated.

VIDEO: Glenn Gilliam Tired of Robert Kraft and Tom Brady Dragging Out DeflateGate

I am putting Robert Kraft, owner of the ne patriots and QB Tom Brady on the bench. They are making me sick trying to defend the defenseless and dragging this deflategate on beyond need. Kraft had the nerve to make it sound as if he had some guarantee from Commissioner Goodell to reduce or remove Tom Brady's 4-game suspension, while apologizing to the Patriot fans and Brady. And Brady continues to try and restore something that cannot be restored, the genie is out of the bottle and to insist that you're completely innocent but destroyed your phone knowing the league's interest in seeing it, has guilty written all over it and only New Englanders are buying the BS he's selling. It's offensive and only reminds fans of why this persists and that when it comes to the integrity of the game, New England plays by its own rules.

Tom Brady’s NFL Four-Game Suspension Scrapped

Judgement day has arrived for the NFL and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

After more than seven months of bickering about deflated footballs, a federal district court judge has rendered a decision. Judge Richard M. Berman ruled today that Tom Brady’s four-game suspension by the NFL will be vacated. In layman’s terms, Tom Brady, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, will be on the field for the season opener on September 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the judge’s decision, they are dancing in the streets in Foxboro and the NFL Commissioners Office is nursing another black eye. To be clear, Judge Berman’s decision was not about whether Brady deflated or ordered footballs to be deflated. It was about process and procedure. According to Judge Berman, the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFL’s players union did not give NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the authority to suspend Tom Brady.

The National Football Players Association (NFLPA) released a statement in reaction to Berman's ruling and the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement:

“The rights of Tom Brady and of all NFL players under the collective bargaining agreement were affirmed today by a Federal Judge in a court of the NFL’s choosing. We thank Judge Berman for his time, careful consideration of the issue and fair and just result.

This decision should prove, once and for all, that our Collective Bargaining Agreement does not grant this Commissioner the authority to be unfair, arbitrary and misleading. While the CBA grants the person who occupies the position of Commissioner the ability to judiciously and fairly exercise the designated power of that position, the union did not agree to attempts to unfairly, illegally exercise that power, contrary to what the NFL has repeatedly and wrongfully claimed.

We are happy for the victory of the rule of law for our players and our fans. This court’s decision to overturn the NFL Commissioner again should signal to every NFL owner that collective bargaining is better than legal losses. Collective bargaining is a much better process that will lead to far better results.”

Given that this case was not about Tom Brady’s guilt or innocence, Judge Berman had three options in this case: uphold the NFL’s suspension of Tom Brady; send it to an arbitrator or vacate the NFL’s ruling.

Judge Berman chose to vacate the NFL’s ruling. You can read Judge Berman’s ruling here.

So, to those who are rejoicing, celebrate now because the legal battle may not be over.

The NFL can appeal Judge Berman's ruling in this case to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If so, the NFL could seek a stay of Judge Berman’s decision.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Full unedited text of the statement released on Wednesday by Tom Brady:

I am very disappointed by the NFL's decision to uphold the 4 game suspension against me.
I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either.

Despite submitting to hours of testimony over the past 6 months, it is disappointing that the Commissioner upheld my suspension based upon a standard that it was "probable" that I was "generally aware" of misconduct. The fact is that neither I, nor any equipment person, did anything of which we have been accused. He dismissed my hours of testimony and it is disappointing that he found it unreliable.

I also disagree with yesterdays narrative surrounding my cellphone. I replaced my broken Samsung phone with a new iPhone 6 AFTER my attorneys made it clear to the NFL that my actual phone device would not be subjected to investigation under ANY circumstances. As a member of a union, I was under no obligation to set a new precedent going forward, nor was I made aware at any time during Mr. Wells investigation, that failing to subject my cell phone to investigation would result in ANY discipline.

Most importantly, I have never written, texted, emailed to anybody at anytime, anything related to football air pressure before this issue was raised at the AFC Championship game in January. To suggest that I destroyed a phone to avoid giving the NFL information it requested is completely wrong.

To try and reconcile the record and fully cooperate with the investigation after I was disciplined in May, we turned over detailed pages of cell phone records and all of the emails that Mr. Wells requested. We even contacted the phone company to see if there was any possible way we could retrieve any/all of the actual text messages from my old phone. In short, we exhausted every possibility to give the NFL everything we could and offered to go thru the identity for every text and phone call during the relevant time. Regardless, the NFL knows that Mr. Wells already had ALL relevant communications with Patriots personnel that either Mr. Wells saw or that I was questioned about in my appeal hearing. There is no "smoking gun" and this controversy is manufactured to distract from the fact they have zero evidence of wrongdoing.

I authorized the NFLPA to make a settlement offer to the NFL so that we could avoid going to court and put this inconsequential issue behind us as we move forward into this season. The discipline was upheld without any counter offer. I respect the Commissioners authority, but he also has to respect the CBA and my rights as a private citizen. I will not allow my unfair discipline to become a precedent for other NFL players without a fight.

Lastly, I am overwhelmed and humbled by the support of family, friends and our fans who have supported me since the false accusations were made after the AFC Championship game. I look forward to the opportunity to resume playing with my teammates and winning more games for the New England Patriots.

New York Rangers to Meet Tampa Bay Lightning; Phil Jackson May Be Unhappy With Isiah Thomas’ Presence at MSG; and lots more!

Watch the video of What's The 411Sports Episode 34:

Featuring What's The 411Sports hosts Glenn Gilliam and Gregory Alcala; and special guest panelist, Jason E. Schott, Reporter/Assignment Editor at BrooklynFans.com.

What’s Poppin’

Congratulations to the owner of American Pharoah; jockey, Victor Espinosa; and of course American Pharoah for winning the Preakness on the heels of winning the Kentucky Derby. Triple Crown madness is starting already!

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The New York Rangers needed extra time to beat the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in game 7 of the 2nd of the NHL playoffs. The Rangers have advanced to play the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Eastern Conference Championship. How good are the Rangers chances to advance to the Stanley Cup Championship round?

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According to The New York Daily News, New York Knicks president, Phil Jackson, is not happy with Isiah Thomas being named president of the New York Liberty and given a stake in the women’s professional basketball team.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has decided to hear New England Patriots QB-Tom Brady’s appeal regarding his four-game suspension associated with deflating footballs during the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. However, the NFL Players Association says no way to Goodell’s reigning over the arbitration proceedings. What does this mean for Brady?

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NY Mets Manager Terry Collins speaks out. After suffering a four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs, the Mets received a passionate speech by manager Terry Collins revolving around the issues the ball-club’s struggles as of late.

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Jason, as a reporter for www.Brooklynfans.com, you know that soccer is drawing huge crowds in New York, but like hockey, it is not a media darling. Give us a synopsis of the soccer picture in New York and what will it take for soccer to be a breakout star?

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The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner and her wife, Tulsa Shock Forward Glory Johnson for seven games for their roles in a domestic dispute last month. WNBA president Laurel J. Richie said in a statement on the league’s website:

"WITH CONSIDERATION OF ALL THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS MATTER, WE ARE SUSPENDING BRITTNEY GRINER AND GLORY JOHNSON EACH WITHOUT PAY FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN REGULAR-SEASON GAMES. BRITTNEY AND GLORY'S CONDUCT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WNBA AND VIOLATES APPLICABLE LAW."

Under The Radar

The Cleveland Cavaliers won game 6 against the Chicago Bulls to advance to the eastern conference finals round and J.R. Smith took to Instagram to take a jab at the New York Knicks. Smith posted side-by-side pics of him and Iman Shumpert in both Knicks and Cavs gear stating:

“ONE MAN’S TRASH…..IS ANOTHER MANS TREASURE”

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The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee announced that it would recommend shortening the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30, increase the restricted area arc in front of the basket from three feet to four feet, and three other changes aimed at reducing timeouts.

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File this one under sports meets pop culture. While the Washington Wizards John Wall was sitting on the sideline during Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks, J.R. Smith, who won the NBA fashion show during the NBA All-Star Week, took to twitter to comment on John Wall’s suit.

#JWall your suit tho! #Turrrbile #WorstThenCrCharlesDraftSuit

John Wall retorted according to Adam Mcginnis from truth about it:

"I LOVED MY OUTFIT IN GAME 4," WALL TOLD MCGINNIS. "I DON’T CARE WHAT DECISION NOBODY MAKES, I AM GOING TO BE ME. I AM GOING TO WEAR WHAT JOHN WALL IS COMFORTABLE WITH. THE ONLY SOMEBODY WHO SAID SOMETHING BECAUSE HE WON A FASHION CONTEST, ONCE."

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Springfield Gardens High School, the high school that the late New York Knicks player Anthony Mason attended, named its gymnasium “MASE COURT”, in his honor.

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And in memoriam, just two days after the death of pro golfer Calvin Peete, winner of the 1985 Players Champion, we have lost yet another pioneering African-American golfer.

African-American Golfer's Digest reports that Pete Brown, first black golfer to win on PGA tour, died on May 1st at 80-years old.

Brown was among those who blazed the trail for Calvin Peete and Tiger Woods.

In the Dog House

Greg Alcala stated: I picked the Cleveland Cavaliers to beat the Chicago Bulls in round 2 of the NBA playoffs, but I am putting the Chicago Bulls in the Dog House for not showing up in Game 6.

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Glenn Gilliam stated that he is putting the NFL in the Dog House. According To NJ.com, The National Guard has made deals with 14 NFL teams to honor the veterans of this country from 2011 To 2014.

According to federal contracts from the Department of Defense, the National Guard spent over $5 million to teams during that time span.

U.S. Senator Jeff Flake ripped the entire practice carried out by the National Guard.

“THOSE OF US GO TO SPORTING EVENTS AND SEE THEM HONORING THE HEROES,” SAID FLAKE. “YOU GET A GOOD FEELING IN YOUR HEART. THEN TO FIND OUT THEY’RE DOING IT BECAUSE THEY’RE COMPENSATED FOR IT, IT LEAVES YOU UNDERWHELMED. IT SEEMS A LITTLE UNSEEMLY…IT JUST LEAVES A BAD TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH.”

Pipeline:

Come cheer on KEISHER “FIRE” MCLEOD-WELLS AKA KEISHER THE BOXING DIVA, as she goes for her second professional title championship belt on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Resorts World Casino in Queens brought to you by New Legend Promotions.

Tickets can be purchased through www.KeisherMcleodWells.com or call Gleason's Gym AT (718) 797-2872 or (646) 537-5059

The French Open, held in Paris, France, IS May 24-June 7, so if you’re not booked already, it may be too late!

The 2015 NBA Draft is on June 25th.

Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, today held a press conference at the NFL Spring Meeting in San Francisco and stated that he “won’t appeal” the NFL’s punishment for #DeflateGate.

Kraft did make it clear that he still doesn’t agree with Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to fine the Patriots $1 million and take away two draft picks for the team's role in using underinflated footballs during the AFC championship game against the Indiana Colts.

Kraft’s decision is showing is pragmatic side because only a few days ago, Kraft went in hard on NFL Commissioner Goodell’s decision saying the penalty was “way over the top, unreasonable and unprecedented.”

More than disgusted with the Ted Wells report, which was the result of the investigation into the deflation of footballs by the New England patriots and ordered by the NFL Commissioner, Kraft told Peter King of MMQB:

"I just get really worked up. To receive the harshest penalty in league history is just not fair. The anger and frustration with this process, to me, it wasn’t fair. If we’re giving all the power to the NFL and the office of the commissioner, this is something that can happen to all 32 teams. We need to have fair and balanced investigating and reporting. But in this report, every inference went against us … inferences from ambiguous, circumstantial evidence all went against us. That’s the thing that really bothers me."

Today is new day and Kraft has a new attitude: “I’m gonna accept — reluctantly…
at no time should the agenda of one team outweigh the collective 32” teams in the NFL.

Now what wasn’t stated in Kraft’s brief press conference in San Francisco is whether the Patriots decision to not appeal the #DeflateGate sanctions includes Tom Brady’s four-game suspension.

A reporter did ask the question whether the decision not to appeal includes Tom Brady as Kraft left the podium, but Kraft did not answer to the reporter’s question.

Kraft did not take or answer any questions.

Now we wait for Tom Brady and/or the NFL Players Association.

Dean Smith Acknowledgement, NFL Combine, Nets Scrambling, and Knicks in the Basement

GLENN: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

GREG: IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PASSING OF DEAN SMITH, THE COACHING INNOVATOR WHO WON TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AT NORTH CAROLINA, AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL IN 1976 AND INDUCTION INTO BASKETBALL'S HALL OF FAME MORE THAN A DECADE BEFORE HE LEFT THE BENCH, DIED ON SUNDAY. HE WAS 83.

GLENN: THE NFL COMBINE IS IN FULL SWING. TEAMS ARE GETTING READY FOR NEXT SEASON.  BUT I WANT TO TAKE A QUICK LOOK BACK TO SUPER BOWL 49 BECAUSE I DO HAVE AN ISSUE.

GREG: STAYING WITH FOOTBALL AND THE COMBINE WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MEDIA’S CREATION OF THE JAMEIS WINSTON - MARCOS MARIOTTA COMPETITION? AND SPEAKING ABOUT GUYS COMING OUT OF COLLEGE, CARDEL JONES, OHIO STATE’S STAND OUT 3RD STRING QUARTERBACK DECIDED TO STAY IN SCHOOL. SHOULD HE HAVE STAYED OR SHOULD HE HAVE BOLTED FOR THE NFL?

GREG: THE NEW YORK JETS HIRED TODD BOWLES AS HEAD COACH TO REPLACE REX RYAN. IS THIS A GOOD MOVE FOR THE JETS? AND GIANTS MAY GIVE TOM COUGHLIN AN EXTENSION IS THIS GOOD FOR THE GIANTS?

GLENN: SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT QUARTERBACKS, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT MY TOP FIVE NFL QBS OF ALL TIME: 1) MONTANA 2) BRADY 3) DOUG WILLIAMS 4) AARON ROGERS 5) WARREN MOON ...THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT! AND RUSSELL WILSON IS RIGHT BEHIND MOON, SO THERE.

GREG: I NOTICED THAT PEYTON MANNING IS NOT ON YOUR LIST. MANNING TOLD THE DENVER BRONCOS THAT HE IS READY TO ROLL. DOES HE HAVE ANOTHER SUPERBOWL RUN LEFT IN HIS ARM?