We have a verdict in the New England Patriots' Deflate Gate investigation — guilty.
A report of over 200 pages filed by Ted Wells, the NFL-appointed lawyer who investigated whether New England deflated footballs in the AFC championship against the Indianapolis Colts in January, determined that the Patriots intentionally deflated balls and that Tom Brady was "generally aware" of it.
This comes months after Brady emphatically denied any involvement in deflating footballs. Now, he and the Pats' organization could be subject to punishment by the NFL.
"For the reasons described in this Report, and after a comprehensive investigation, we have concluded that, in connection with the AFC Championship Game, it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate effort to circumvent the rules," Wells' report said, as obtained by ESPN.
"In particular, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots) and John Jastremski (an equipment assistant for the Patriots) participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee. Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.
"Based on the evidence, the investigation has further concluded that that there was no deliberate attempt by the Patriots to introduce to the playing field a non-approved kicking ball during the AFC Championship Game," the report added. "Although Patriots personnel provided a kicking ball to game officials that did not have the distinctive inspection mark of the referee, we find that the Patriots personnel involved believed the ball to be authentic and appropriate. We do not believe that there was any attempt by Patriots personnel, including Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, to deliberately circumvent the rules by offering the kicking ball for play."
The Patriots were accused of deliberately deflating footballs in New England's frigid weather conditions tomake it easier to grip them, throw them and catch them. Of course, the Pats won that game and went on to win another Super Bowl two weeks later.
The Wells report findings prompted NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to release the following statement.
Ted Wells transmitted his report on the deflated footballs to Roger Goodell and the Pats today. Goodell's statement. pic.twitter.com/mq1iCa9ZIb
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 6, 2015
Patriots owner Bob Kraft also released the following statement to the media, including ESPN: "While I respect the independent process of the investigation, the time, effort and resources expended to reach this conclusion are incomprehensible to me. Knowing that there is no real recourse available, fighting the league and extending this debate would prove to be futile. We understand and greatly respect the responsibility of being one of 32 in this league and, on that basis, we will accept the findings of the report and take the appropriate actions based on those findings as well as any discipline levied by the league."
Let's see how hard the NFL comes down on Brady, coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
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