The following is the full text of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's letter to the NFL Players Association in which he rejects their motion to have him step aside as arbitrator of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's appeal hearing June 23:
Our Collective Bargaining Agreement provides that "at his discretion," the Commissioner may serve as hearing officer in "any appeal" involving conduct detrimental to the integrity of, or public confidence in, the game of professional football.
