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Deflategate, over! Tom Brady decides not to appeal suspension ruling to Supreme Court

FOXBOROUGH — New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady has decided not to appeal his “Deflategate” suspension, he posted on Facebook Friday. ...

FOXBOROUGH — New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady has decided not to appeal his “Deflategate” suspension, he posted on Facebook Friday.

After a federal appeals court rejected his attempt to get a new hearing Wednesday, an appeal to the Supreme Court would have been his only legal option.

“I’m very grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received from Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family, coach Belichick, my coaches and teammates, the NFLPA, my agents, my loving family and most of all, our fans,” Brady wrote on Facebook. “It has been a challenging 18 months and I have made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process. I’m going to work hard to be the best player I can be for the New England Patriots and I look forward to having the opportunity to return to the field this fall.”

Brady was asking for the full 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the case. In April, a three-judge panel said that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was within his powers when he suspended the star quarterback four games for his role in a scheme to doctor the footballs used in a Jan. 18, 2015, playoff game.

The decision Wednesday affirmed the wide-ranging powers given to the commissioner by the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement and was a setback for organized labor groups arguing for due process in employee discipline.

The Patriots open the season Sept. 11 at Arizona.  Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is set to take Brady’s place.

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