New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will appeal the federal court ruling reinstating his four-game suspension for "Deflategate" to the entire US Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Brady's lawyer has told the US TV network ABC.
"The facts here are so drastic, and so apparent, that the court should rehear it," Brady's attorney, former US Solicitor General Ted Olson, told ABC News in an interview.
Brady, 38, was suspended in May 2015, four months after the National Football League found that underinflated footballs were used in the Patriots' 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in January 2015's AFC championship game.
The victory propelled the Patriots to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, giving Brady his fourth championship title.
The NFL suspended Brady after a lawyer hired by the league to investigate the incident said Brady was "generally aware" that two Patriots employees had conspired to deflate the balls, which could make them easier to grip.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the suspension in July, prompting the legal challenge on Brady's behalf. The quarterback has denied knowing about any plan to deflate footballs.
Last month, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a ruling that overturned the decision to penalise Brady.
Reuters
