Roger Goodell formally rejects NFLPA's request for recusal in To - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell formally rejected the NFL Players Association request that he recuse himself from Tom Brady's appeal hearing, scheduled for June 23 in New York City.

Read the complete letter to the NFLPA CLICK HERE

"Based on the unambiguous language and structure of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, as well as common sense, I conclude that none of the arguments advanced by the NFLPA has merit," wrote Goodell in his letter to the NFLPA.

Goodell responded to the NFLPA's request with a number of counter-arguments offsetting the objections and suggesting he's not a suitable or viable witness in Brady's case.

"I do not have first-hand knowledge of any of the events at issue," wrote Goodell. "Nor did I play a role in the investigation that led to Mr. Brady's discipline. Furthermore, there is no reasonable basis for dispute - or for any testimony - about authority for the discipline reflected in the letter signed by Mr. (Troy) Vincent. The letter itself is clear on this point. And there is no basis for my testifying about prior instances in which discipline was considered or imposed for similar conduct; if that were the case, the NFLPA could seek my recusal in every conduct detrimental proceeding, directly contrary to our agreement that I have the "discretion" to hear "any" appeal."

 Brady's legal team, led by Jeffrey Kessler and supported by the NFLPA, has stated Commissioner Goodell's testimony in the appeal hearing will play a key role in their defense.

"My knowledge of any underlying facts in this matter would not provide a basis for recusal," wrote Goodell. "The CBA contemplates such knowledge and expressly provides that the Commissioner may hear and decide "any" appeal of conduct detrimental discipline."

Goodell also rejected the notion he has "prejudged" the matter and cannot fairly evaluate the potential testimony of league staff members.

"The process by which discipline is imposed for conduct detrimental, and by which appeals of disciplinary decisions are heard, has been in place for many years and is well known to the parties. That includes the role of league staff in the proceedings and the likelihood that the Commissioner will have some knowledge of the underlying facts.

"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 conduct detrimental proceeding."