Strong Official Statement from Don Yee (Brady's Agent)

Adam Schefter
10 mins ·
Statement from Tom Brady's agent, Don Yee:

"The Commissioner’s decision is deeply disappointing, but not surprising because the appeal process was thoroughly lacking in procedural fairness.

Most importantly, neither Tom nor the Patriots did anything wrong. And the NFL has no evidence that anything inappropriate occurred.

The appeal process was a sham, resulting in the Commissioner rubber-stamping his own decision. For example, the Wells investigative team was given over 100 days to conduct its investigation. Just days prior to the appeal hearing, we were notified that we would only have four hours to present a defense; therefore, we didn’t have enough time to examine important witnesses. Likewise, it was represented to the public that the Wells team was ‘independent’; however, when we requested documents from Wells, our request was rejected on the basis of privilege. We therefore had no idea as to what Wells found from other witnesses, nor did we know what those other witnesses said.

These are just two examples of how the Commissioner failed to ensure a fair process.

Additionally, the science in the Wells Report was junk. It has been thoroughly discredited by independent third parties.

Finally, as to the issue of cooperation, we presented the Commissioner with an unprecedented amount of electronic data, all of which is incontrovertible. I do not think that any private citizen would have agreed to provide anyone with the amount of information that Tom was willing to reveal to the Commissioner. Tom was completely transparent. All of the electronic information was ignored; we don’t know why. The extent to which Tom opened up his private life to the Commissioner will become clear in the coming days.

The Commissioner’s decision and discipline has no precedent in all of NFL history. His decision alters the competitive balance of the upcoming season. The decision is wrong and has no basis, and it diminishes the integrity of the game.”

it's kind of disgusting, I hope Brady sues for defamation, and i hope he wins.

The 3rd and the 6th paragraphs are the meat and potatoes, folks.

Get ready. This is now going to get good.

shmessy said:

The 3rd and 6th (especially the last sentence) paragraphs are the key.

Get ready, folks. The good part is just starting.

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If lawyers were explosives, Yee is C-4

Jeff Kessler is nuclear.

I wish more people listened to Yee. Props to Schefter for putting it out.

“Finally, as to the issue of cooperation, we presented the Commissioner with an unprecedented amount of electronic data, all of which is incontrovertible. I do not think that any private citizen would have agreed to provide anyone with the amount of information that Tom was willing to reveal to the Commissioner. Tom was completely transparent. All of the electronic information was ignored; we don’t know why. The extent to which Tom opened up his private life to the Commissioner will become clear in the coming days."


This will be interesting.

I am guessing that TB's cell phone carrier provided a list of all 10,000 texts and calls. While the texts themselves were not recoverable, according to the carrier (in Goodell's ruling), such a comprehensive disclosure of communications at least makes damaging the phone less concerning.

The appeal process was a sham, resulting in the Commissioner rubber-stamping his own decision. For example, the Wells investigative team was given over 100 days to conduct its investigation. Just days prior to the appeal hearing, we were notified that we would only have four hours to present a defense; therefore, we didn’t have enough time to examine important witnesses. Likewise, it was represented to the public that the Wells team was ‘independent’; however, when we requested documents from Wells, our request was rejected on the basis of privilege. We therefore had no idea as to what Wells found from other witnesses, nor did we know what those other witnesses said.

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lol, GG NFL, you've lost again in federal court.

Too the lawyer peeps: Is there anything to the last statement?

The Commissioner’s decision and discipline has no precedent in all of NFL history. His decision alters the competitive balance of the upcoming season. The decision is wrong and has no basis, and it diminishes the integrity of the game.”

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This seems like a direct attack against Goodell and his handling of this particular matter. This is the exact language that is used to suspend players and fine teams. Maybe coincidence, maybe on purpose or maybe the end of Roger?

Wait so the 4 hours that was reported that was all bradys team got to present their defense, that was quickly shot down by nfl as false was in fact true!!!!

ANGR89 said:

Wait so the 4 hours that was reported that was all bradys team got to present their defense, that was quickly shot down by nfl as false was in fact true!!!!

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We don't know that the NFL didn't relent and provide them additional time, but Schefter did tweet a copy of the letter stating the "four hours" part.

THIS

"......Likewise, it was represented to the public that the Wells team was ‘independent’; however, when we requested documents from Wells, our request was rejected on the basis of privilege. We therefore had no idea as to what Wells found from other witnesses, nor did we know what those other witnesses said...."

PLUS

"......Finally, as to the issue of cooperation, we presented the Commissioner with an unprecedented amount of electronic data, all of which is incontrovertible. I do not think that any private citizen would have agreed to provide anyone with the amount of information that Tom was willing to reveal to the Commissioner. Tom was completely transparent. All of the electronic information was ignored; we don’t know why. The extent to which Tom opened up his private life to the Commissioner will become clear in the coming days.

EQUALS

Brady was the forthcoming party and Wells was the concealer.

ANGR89 said:

Wait so the 4 hours that was reported that was all bradys team got to present their defense, that was quickly shot down by nfl as false was in fact true!!!!

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And they did it as gracefully as the wrong PSi numbers in the T. David Gardi letter.

ANGR89 said:

Wait so the 4 hours that was reported that was all bradys team got to present their defense, that was quickly shot down by nfl as false was in fact true!!!!

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Yet another reason why you shouldn't trust at face value a single thing that the NFL says.

shmessy said:

We therefore had no idea as to what Wells found from other witnesses, nor did we know what those other witnesses said...."

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I think that this is getting at the idea that Wells went to other scientists (at Columbia?), who told them something that he did not want to hear, and THEN he went to Exponent.

They should be able to sniff that out and really have a bang-up reveal in court.

shmessy said:

THIS

"......Likewise, it was represented to the public that the Wells team was ‘independent’; however, when we requested documents from Wells, our request was rejected on the basis of privilege. We therefore had no idea as to what Wells found from other witnesses, nor did we know what those other witnesses said...."

PLUS

"......Finally, as to the issue of cooperation, we presented the Commissioner with an unprecedented amount of electronic data, all of which is incontrovertible. I do not think that any private citizen would have agreed to provide anyone with the amount of information that Tom was willing to reveal to the Commissioner. Tom was completely transparent. All of the electronic information was ignored; we don’t know why. The extent to which Tom opened up his private life to the Commissioner will become clear in the coming days.

EQUALS

Brady was the forthcoming party and Wells was the concealer.

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If that first paragraph is correct, it's a bombshell.

Someone who knows more about the law can probably clarify this, but isn't this a pretty big deal?

Doesn't that pretty clearly undermine the notion that this was an impartial appeal where Brady would be given a fair opportunity to present his case?

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

I think that this is getting at the idea that Wells went to other scientists (at Columbia?), who told them something that he did not want to hear, and THEN he went to Exponent.

They should be able to sniff that out and really have a bang-up reveal in court.

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As a lawyer pointed out this almost never happens; that's the whole purpose of discovery.