NFLPA appeals Tom Brady's four-game suspension

— -- The NFLPA has appealed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension. 

Brady was suspended without pay by the NFL on Monday for the first four games of the 2015 season stemming from his role in the Patriots' "Deflategate" scandal. 

The NFLPA called for an independent arbitrator to hear the case. 

Brady's agent said Monday that he would appeal the suspension to commissioner Roger Goodell. The deadline to appeal was the end of the day Thursday. 

The punishment was announced five days after the release of the lengthy Wells report that found that Patriots personnel deliberately deflated footballs before the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 18, 2015, and that Brady "was at least generally aware" of the violations.

"With respect to your particular involvement, the report established that there is substantial and credible evidence to conclude you were at least generally aware of the actions of the Patriots' employees involved in the deflation of the footballs and that it was unlikely that their actions were done without your knowledge," NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent wrote in a letter to Brady.

The 243-page report by league-appointed attorney Ted Wells said it was "more probable than not" that Brady was aware of plans to prepare the footballs to his liking, below the NFL-mandated minimum of 12.5 pounds per square inch.