Lawyering Up: Brady Reportedly Hires Jeffrey Kessler To Fight NFL
BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady is gearing up for a fight with the NFL.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brady has hired long-time NFL nemesis Jeffrey Kessler to help him fight his four-game suspension by the league for his role in the Deflategate controversy. Kessler is expected to join Brady's agent, Don Yee, in their upcoming appeal against the suspension -- and a potential lawsuit against the league.
"I got a text today, it came from somebody who is connected in some way to the story. It says, 'Brady's [legal] team is unreal.' I asked in what sense, [they replied], 'talented, big-name lawyers. Yee, Kessler, etc. Prediction = won't miss a game,'" Schefter told Colin Cowherd on Tuesday.
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"There are people that feel that with Don Yee and Jeffrey Kessler... Tom Brady will have a legitimate chance to have his suspension reduced if not overturned," said Schefter.
The 61-year-old Kessler has long been a thorn in the NFL's side, representing the NFL Players Associations in a number of cases over the years. Just last year, Kessler served as outside counsel to the NFLPA during their appeal of Ray Rice's indefinite suspension. In 2011 he represented NFL players in a suit that eventually ended the lockout, with Brady's name front and center on the suit.
He is also familiar with New England head coach Bill Belichick, who he represented back in 2000 when Belichick sued the NFL and New York Jets to free him from his contract in New York.
The NFL suspended Brady for four games and fined the Patriots $1 million and docked them a pair of draft picks on Monday, following last week's release of the Wells Report.
Yee said shortly after the suspension was announced that Brady will appeal the NFL's decision. He has until 5pm on Thursday to officially do so.
On Wednesday morning, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand discussed the hiring of Kessler by Brady.
Listen below:
