Roger Goodell refuses to recuse himself from Tom Brady appeal hearing

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has informed the players union that he will be the one to hear the appeal of Tom Brady’s four-game Deflategate suspension on June 23.

The NFLPA had asked Goodell to recuse himself because it intended to call the commissioner as a witness. Goodell denied that request, saying in a letter to the union Tuesday that he was not a “central witness” in the case against the New England Patriots quarterback.

“The NFLPA argues that recusal is required because it believes that I may be a ‘necessary’ and/or ‘central’ witness in the appeal proceeding,” Goodell wrote. “I have carefully considered this argument and reject its premise. I am not a necessary or even an appropriate witness, much less a ‘central witness’ as the NFLPA contends.”

He added: “There is no basis upon which I could properly be asked to testify in the appeal proceeding, which under Article 46 of the [collective bargaining agreement] is designed to afford Mr. Brady an opportunity to bring new or additional facts or circumstances to my attention for consideration.”

Brady’s suspension was announced May 11, days after independent investigator Ted Wells released his report saying the Patriots quarterback was “at least generally aware” that locker room staff were deflating balls for the 2014 AFC championship game.

The NFLPA filed an appeal on Brady’s behalf three days later.

“I very much look forward to hearing from Mr. Brady and to considering any new information or evidence that he may bring to my attention,” Goodell wrote in his letter to the NFLPA. “My mind is open; there has been no ‘prejudgment’ and no bias that warrants recusal.”

He added: “Because protecting the integrity of the game is the commissioner’s most important responsibility, I decline to rewrite our collective bargaining agreement to abrogate my authority and ‘discretion’ to hear ‘any appeal’” in a case that involves allegations of conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.

Twitter: @chewkiii