Cheat 2 Compete
2015-05-06 20:52:23 UTC
Coach Cheater escapes again.
An investigation into the so-called Deflategate scandal
concluded it is more likely than not that New England Patriots
quarterback Tom Brady "was at least generally aware of the
inappropriate activities" by two team employees that resulted in
balls being deflated in January's AFC Championship Game against
the Indianapolis Colts.
The report, released Wednesday by attorney Ted Wells, found "it
is more probable than not that Jim McNally and John Jastremski
participated in a deliberate plan to circumvent the rules by
releasing air from Patriots game balls," but found no wrongdoing
by Patriots ownership, coach Bill Belichick and his assistants,
or equipment manager Dave Schoenfeld.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued an immediate response, saying
the organization is disappointed by the report, which lacked
"any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation
of footballs" after a more than three-month investigation.
In a statement released in conjunction with the report,
Commissioner Roger Goodell said NFL executive vice president
Troy Vincent and his team "will consider what steps to take in
light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary
action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to
avoid future incidents of this type.
PDF: Findings from Ted Wells Deflategate investigation
"At the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to
protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all
times."
Asked for comment, the Colts had little to day, offering: "The
Indianapolis Colts are aware of the findings in the Wells Report
and have no comment."
The report includes text messages between McNally, the 48-year-
old officials locker room attendant for the Patriots, and
Jastremski, a 35-year-old equipment assistant, in which McNally
outs himself "the deflator" and the two friends discuss Brady's
complaints about the inflation level of game balls in an Oct. 17
game against the New York Jets.
Brady, 37, signed autographs for the pair after the Patriots'
divisional playoff win against the Baltimore Ravens in January,
the report said, and communicated with McNally by phone or text
message "with significantly increased frequency" in the days
after suspicions arose publicly conversations that were then
shared in texts between McNally and Jastremski.
The report notes "there is less direct evidence linking Brady to
tampering activities than either McNally or Jastremski." But
after interviews with those two, investigators "do not believe
that they would personally and unilaterally engage in such
conduct in the absence of Brady?s awareness and consent."
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-
/f4558353fe80f94da2b69116c92a0cb66bccdc06/c=324-77-2828-
1960&r=x383&c=540x380/local/-
/media/2015/01/23/USATODAY/USATODAY/635576090676929904-AP-Super-
Bowl-Footballs.jpg
Most of the balls New England used in the first half of the AFC
title game against the Colts fell below the league-mandated
threshold of 12.5 pounds per square inch, theoretically making
them easier to grip in adverse weather conditions.
Colts general manager Ryan Grigson confirmed at the NFL's
scouting combine in February that his team alerted the league to
its concern during the week prior to the game.
The Patriots vigorously defended themselves in the days
following their 45-7 defeat of the Colts. Both Belichick and
Brady denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the underinflated
balls.
"I would never do anything to break the rules," Brady said at
the time. "I believe in fair play, and I respect the league."
Kraft defiantly touted the integrity of Brady and Belichick when
the team arrived in Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX and made it
clear he expected an apology from the league in the event the
Patriots were absolved of any wrongdoing.
"I want to make it clear that I believe unconditionally that the
New England Patriots have done nothing inappropriate in this
process that were in violation of NFL rules," Kraft said Jan.
26. "Tom, Bill and I have been together for 15 years. They are
my guys. They are part of my family, and Bill, Tom and I have
had many difficult discussions over the years, and I have never
known them to lie to me. That is why I am confident in saying
what I just said.
"It bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity and,
by association, that of our team, has been called into question."
***
Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2015/05/06/def
lategate-bill-belichick-tom-brady-underinflated-balls-robert-
kraft-new-england-colts/22216585/
An investigation into the so-called Deflategate scandal
concluded it is more likely than not that New England Patriots
quarterback Tom Brady "was at least generally aware of the
inappropriate activities" by two team employees that resulted in
balls being deflated in January's AFC Championship Game against
the Indianapolis Colts.
The report, released Wednesday by attorney Ted Wells, found "it
is more probable than not that Jim McNally and John Jastremski
participated in a deliberate plan to circumvent the rules by
releasing air from Patriots game balls," but found no wrongdoing
by Patriots ownership, coach Bill Belichick and his assistants,
or equipment manager Dave Schoenfeld.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued an immediate response, saying
the organization is disappointed by the report, which lacked
"any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation
of footballs" after a more than three-month investigation.
In a statement released in conjunction with the report,
Commissioner Roger Goodell said NFL executive vice president
Troy Vincent and his team "will consider what steps to take in
light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary
action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to
avoid future incidents of this type.
PDF: Findings from Ted Wells Deflategate investigation
"At the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to
protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all
times."
Asked for comment, the Colts had little to day, offering: "The
Indianapolis Colts are aware of the findings in the Wells Report
and have no comment."
The report includes text messages between McNally, the 48-year-
old officials locker room attendant for the Patriots, and
Jastremski, a 35-year-old equipment assistant, in which McNally
outs himself "the deflator" and the two friends discuss Brady's
complaints about the inflation level of game balls in an Oct. 17
game against the New York Jets.
Brady, 37, signed autographs for the pair after the Patriots'
divisional playoff win against the Baltimore Ravens in January,
the report said, and communicated with McNally by phone or text
message "with significantly increased frequency" in the days
after suspicions arose publicly conversations that were then
shared in texts between McNally and Jastremski.
The report notes "there is less direct evidence linking Brady to
tampering activities than either McNally or Jastremski." But
after interviews with those two, investigators "do not believe
that they would personally and unilaterally engage in such
conduct in the absence of Brady?s awareness and consent."
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-
/f4558353fe80f94da2b69116c92a0cb66bccdc06/c=324-77-2828-
1960&r=x383&c=540x380/local/-
/media/2015/01/23/USATODAY/USATODAY/635576090676929904-AP-Super-
Bowl-Footballs.jpg
Most of the balls New England used in the first half of the AFC
title game against the Colts fell below the league-mandated
threshold of 12.5 pounds per square inch, theoretically making
them easier to grip in adverse weather conditions.
Colts general manager Ryan Grigson confirmed at the NFL's
scouting combine in February that his team alerted the league to
its concern during the week prior to the game.
The Patriots vigorously defended themselves in the days
following their 45-7 defeat of the Colts. Both Belichick and
Brady denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the underinflated
balls.
"I would never do anything to break the rules," Brady said at
the time. "I believe in fair play, and I respect the league."
Kraft defiantly touted the integrity of Brady and Belichick when
the team arrived in Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX and made it
clear he expected an apology from the league in the event the
Patriots were absolved of any wrongdoing.
"I want to make it clear that I believe unconditionally that the
New England Patriots have done nothing inappropriate in this
process that were in violation of NFL rules," Kraft said Jan.
26. "Tom, Bill and I have been together for 15 years. They are
my guys. They are part of my family, and Bill, Tom and I have
had many difficult discussions over the years, and I have never
known them to lie to me. That is why I am confident in saying
what I just said.
"It bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity and,
by association, that of our team, has been called into question."
***
Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2015/05/06/def
lategate-bill-belichick-tom-brady-underinflated-balls-robert-
kraft-new-england-colts/22216585/