Brady's Suspension Upheld By Commissioner Goodell

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension for his role in using underinflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game was upheld by commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday.

In announcing the decision, Goodell cited new information that on or shortly before March 6, Brady directed that the cellphone he had used for the prior four months be destroyed. The NFL said in the statement that Brady destroyed the phone even though he was aware that investigators had requested access to text messages and other electronic information that had been stored on the phone.

According to the NFL, Brady exchanged nearly 10,000 text messages, none of which can now be retrieved. The NFL also said in its statement that the destruction of the cellphone was not disclosed until June 18, almost four months after investigators first sought information from him.

Goodell said in the statement that Brady "went beyond a mere failure to cooperate in the investigation and supported a finding that he had sought to hide evidence of his own participation in the scheme." Based on Ted Wells' report and the evidence presented at that hearing, Goodell also said that Brady was aware of, and took steps to support, the actions of other team employees to deflate game footballs below the levels allowed under NFL rules.

Brady is expected to challenge the decision in federal court and seek an injunction that will allow him to play while his case works its way through the courts.