NFLPA files appeal on behalf of Brady

May 14, 2015 - 9:50 PM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The NFL Players Association has filed an appeal of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension.

Brady was suspended without pay Monday by the NFL for the first four games of the 2015 season over the deflated balls scandal.

"Given the NFL's history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal," the union said in a statement.

"If Ted Wells and the NFL believe, as their public comments stated, that the evidence in their report is 'direct' and 'inculpatory,' then they should be confident enough to present their case before someone who is truly independent."

The deadline to appeal was the end of the day Thursday.

In addition to Brady's suspension, the Patriots were hit with a $1 million fine and must forfeit a first-round draft pick in 2016 as well as a fourth- round selection in 2017.

The punishment was announced five days after the release of the Wells report, which detailed what it called a "deliberate effort" by two Patriots employees to release air from footballs prior to the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts in January.

Brady, according to the lengthy report, was "generally aware" that locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski were letting the air out of balls.