Is #Deflategate Finally Over? Tom Brady’s 4-Game Suspension Upheld in Appeals Court

#Deflategate might finally be over now that Tom Brady’s 4-game suspension has been upheld in appeals court.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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On Wednesday morning, Tom Brady's appeal of his Deflategate suspension was denied by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals:

An image of the Second Circuit's denial of Tom Brady's petition is very brief but very to the point: pic.twitter.com/T29Y1O8LIp

— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) July 13, 2016

The news was first broken by the Associated Press:

BREAKING: Federal appeals court rejects quarterback Tom Brady's latest attempt to overturn `Deflategate' suspension.

— The Associated Press (@AP) July 13, 2016

This means that Brady only has one card left to play if he wants to continue fighting in order to try and avoid a four-game suspension. He will need to take his legal battle to the Supreme Court. However, since the Supreme Court isn't currently in session, there's almost no chance Brady's appeal would be heard before the start of the 2016-17 NFL season—and that's if SCOTUS even agreed to hear Brady out in the first place:

Going to Supreme Court was always on the table for Brady but if 2nd Circuit didn't grant re-hearing...what are chances SCOTUS takes case?

— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) July 13, 2016

The 2nd Circuit's denial of Tom Brady's petition was expected--his odds were under 1%. He still has one play left: the U.S. Supreme Court.

— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) July 13, 2016

The seemingly never-ending #Deflategate saga appears to be approaching the end, and at this point, the beginning of the Jimmy Garoppolo era in New England appears to be inevitable. If everything plays out as expected and Brady is required to serve a four-game suspension, Garoppolo will likely start the Patriots' first four games against the Cardinals, Dolphins, Texans, and Bills.

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