The New England Patriots are embroiled in the deflated football scandal of 2015 while preparing for Super Bowl XLIX. This scandal has been deemed #DeflateGate and it seems as though the NFL’s investigation is just getting started. Both head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have been quick to deny the accusations of foul play, despite the evidence to the contrary.
However, their statements aren’t clearing up the issue at all. In fact, their claims of innocence only make this whole thing harder to figure out. Something doesn’t seem quite right and it seems as though one, or both, of them is lying. This is purely conjecture mind you, but when their statements are laid out it does raise some valid questions.
The Patriots’ quarterback used some interesting language in his Thursday press conference regarding the issue.
Brady said that he “didn’t alter the ball in any way.” Talk about leaving a little wiggle room.
When asked if he’s a cheater he said, “I don’t believe so.” Adding “I would never do anything to break the rules.” Although he couldn’t quite say “we” or “The Patriots” would never break the rules.
So he didn’t know that the balls were altered? How is that possible?
When asked if he prefers a deflated ball Brady replied “I like them at 12.5 (PSI). That’s the perfect grip for a football.”
So, if he knows exactly how he likes his footballs, down to the exact number, how did he not notice right away that the balls he was using were altered? I ask this because he also said, “When I pick those balls out , at that point to me they are perfect. I don’t want anyone touching the balls after that, I don’t want anyone rubbing them, putting any air in them, taking any air out.”
So those balls were “perfect” and then during the game they become no longer “perfect”, but he didn’t think anything of it? He just continued to play? Something isn’t adding up here. Wouldn’t he be the first person to ask the question of how the balls significantly changed in PSI?
“I didn’t put one thought into the football at that point,” Brady said about the difference in the footballs in the game. Well, why not?
What about the head coach? Belichick must have a better answer right?
Jan 22, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick enters the media room to make a statement regarding deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
In Belichick’s Thursday press conference on the deflated balls he played dumb the whole time.
“I was shocked to learn of the news reports about the footballs. I had no knowledge whatsoever of this situation until Monday morning.” He went on to say, “I have no explanation for what happened… and that’s what they’re looking into.”
How can the head coach have no idea about the condition of the footballs to be used in the biggest game of the year? Belichick said, “Tom’s personal preferences on his footballs are something that he can talk about in much better detail and information than I could possibly provide.”
OK, I can buy that. Belichick doesn’t care about how the footballs feel, noted. Although he’s essentially throwing Brady to the wolves (reporters) by saying that. But wait, we already learned that Brady “didn’t alter the footballs in any way.”
How can both the head coach and quarterback have no idea how the game balls were altered, yet it has been proven that 11 of the 12 footballs the Pats provided were indeed altered? The refs examine each ball before the game, thus the Pats had to have altered the balls during or just before the game.
You’re telling me that neither Belichick or Brady were in on that decision? Who on earth is making a game-impacting decision in Foxborough other than those two people?
How can these two not know who made the call to alter the balls? I’m not buying that. It doesn’t add up and when things don’t add up it means one thing — dishonesty. Someone has to be lying.
I mean, how can these two not find out who did alter the balls now? Are things kept from Belichick and Brady on this team? I would assume not, there is not a bigger name than these two in the organization, yet they’re in the dark on this? Convenient.
Belichick and Brady’s collective story is essentially, “Uh, yeah, someone altered the footballs, but us two, uh, we have no idea who. Lots of people make important decisions for this team that we don’t know anything about…”
Again, they can keep selling ignorance, but I’m not buying it.
Belichick denied the accusations of SpyGate in 2007, of illegally taping an opponent, and was fined the league maximum $500,000 when it was found he was lying. Lets just say the track record isn’t exactly clean for the Pats.
Brady laughed when asked about the subject on Monday, but no one in New England is laughing now.
It’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out, although America has already come to a conclusion.
Only New England believes the Patriots aren't cheaters: http://t.co/edyOAAthiY
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) January 23, 2015
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