In a monumental victory for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the NFL Players Association, Federal Judge Richard Berman ruled Thursday to nullify Brady's Deflategate four-game suspension handed down by Roger Goodell.
Berman had previously requested that the NFL, Brady and the NFLPA reach a settlement, but after none was reached ruled that the Patriots' quarterback would be eligible to return to team activities and start the season opener next Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
In a statement released shortly after Berman's ruling was handed down, Goodell announced that the NFL would appeal Thursday's decision.