NFL upholds Tom Brady suspension, says Brady destroyed phone

The NFL on Tuesday announced that they have upheld Tom Brady’s four-game suspension.

Brady’s appeal of the initial “Deflategate” suspension was heard by the league in May, but it wasn’t until two and a half months later that the league rendered a decision.

In announcing the news, the NFL emphasized that Brady destroyed his cell phone, which prevented the league from investigating what they felt would be key evidence in the case. They also noted that Brady did not disclose until June that he destroyed the phone:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld today the 4-game suspension imposed on #Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/CYm9fT0rUy

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 28, 2015

Apparently the league did not buy Brady’s excuse for destroying his phone:

Brady communicated to the commissioner that he routinely destroys his phone for security reasons.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 28, 2015

A previous report stated that the suspension would be upheld and that Brady destroyed his phone. That report was correct.

Brady will now likely fight the decision in court. With the season so close to starting, his camp’s best hope might be to get an injunction that blocks the suspension.