FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady is back on offense.

The New England Patriots quarterback has appealed the four-game suspension he was handed for his role in using deflated footballs during the AFC championship game.

The NFL announced the quarterback's suspension on Monday and also fined the Patriots $1 million and took away two draft picks.

Brady's appeal only deals with the suspension and must be heard within 10 days. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Commissioner Roger Goodell will preside over the hearing, rejecting the union's request for a neutral party.

League-appointed investigator Ted Wells found that Brady was "at least generally aware" of plans by two team employees to prepare the balls to his liking, below the league-mandated weight.

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