Tom Brady and the NFL were never going to reach a settlement in the Deflategate case despite the urging of U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman, and the reasons why have become extremely clear in recent weeks.
Gary Myers of the New York Daily News reports that the NFL never made a formal settlement offer to the NFL Players Association but indicated the league was willing to cut Brady’s suspension from four games to three if the New England Patriots quarterback admitted guilt.
Sounds like a swell deal, huh?
Myers also reiterated what several others before him have reported — that Brady has been willing to accept a fine for not cooperating by refusing to turn over his cell phone. There has even been some indication that Brady would accept a suspension for non-cooperation, though it is highly unlikely that he would have agreed to sit for three games.
As long as the NFL continues to insist that Brady admit some sort of guilt, a settlement will never happen. In addition to being adamant about protecting his legacy, Brady also would essentially be committing perjury if he admitted he was aware of anything involving tampering with game balls. He denied having any knowledge of wrongdoing under oath during his appeal.
We have known all along that Berman is going to have to make a ruling in the Deflategate case. While almost everything that has happened in court thus far seems to favor Brady’s side, it’s hard to say if Berman was just trying to muscle the NFL into settling. Berman says a ruling is coming either Tuesday or Wednesday.
