As I sit here and begin to write this I can sense a feeling of many, many Australian New England Patriots fans rolling their eyes.
What has been revealed in the last 24 hours has pushed ‘deflategate’ into the headlines once again.
For those not in the know, back on the 18th January 2015 when the New England Patriots faced off against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game – a game that decides who goes to the Super Bowl – Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson intercepted a pass from New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady.
Jackson would then take the ball over to the Colts sideline when a matter of the balls pressure came up. Conversations were had.
Officials got involved and after the Patriots won that game 45-7 and go on to the Super Bowl, they would be accused of deflating footballs to enable Tom Brady to grip the ball easier therefore giving him an apparent advantage.
NFL rules state that game balls must be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds of air – but was this the case in the AFC Championship Game?
Leading up to Super Bowl XLIX, ‘deflategate’ became a major talking point and the New England Patriots were once again accused of cheating. They were embroiled in the ‘spygate’ saga back in 2007.
Tom Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would deny any involvement in deflating footballs, with Tom Brady declaring “this isn’t ISIS”, referring to the Islamic state terrorist group.
The England Patriots of course would go on to win Super Bowl XLIX 28-24 over the Seattle Seahawks and we hadn’t heard much, if anything, until now regarding the saga.
Now, a report carried out by independent investigator Ted Wells has been submitted to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell – and the 243 page report includes some interesting findings to say the least.
The two main findings are that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally – official locker room attendant for the Patriots, and John Jastremski, a Patriots equipment assistant, deliberately deflated game balls after they were inspected by the referees in that game.
The other, and perhaps more damning, was that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was “at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski in deflating game balls”.
It’s worth noting here that other Patriots personnel were not aware of what was going on, according to the report.
Text messages were discovered that could also point towards Tom Brady knowing what was going on and perhaps having more significant involvement. Also video evidence showed Jim McNally take two bags of game balls from the officials’ locker room to a bathroom, where he would remain for 1 minute and 40 seconds before taking them onto the field of play.
Investigators also interviewed Tom Brady and requested documents and electronic information – text messages and emails – but he declined to make these available to investigators. Why?
So two big questions are likely to come out of this, first being what does this do for Tom Brady’s legacy? He’s a sure-fire first ballot hall of famer, a four-time Super Bowl winner, three-time Super Bowl MVP and two-time NFL league MVP.
Patriots fans have already come out and said that just about everyone else is a ‘hater’, but the report is there for public viewing so make of it what you will.
Although the report refers to evidence being “more probable than not” the Patriots hardly have a history of being squeaky clean when it comes to following NFL rules.
This does have a big effect on Tom Brady’s legacy. Before all this I never had him down as the greatest quarterback to play the game. My opinion was always that Joe Montana deserved that distinction, but that topic is for another time.
Will Brady and the organisation be punished for their actions?
If they are fined, how much? There is talk of possible suspension and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell himself has already stated the league will consider disciplinary action. Only time will tell what action that will be.
The NFL will want to be careful in their approach to this and will want to ensure that any punishment delivered is spot on, especially after the apparent mishandling of the Ray Rice incident.
As for Brady and the Patriots – tough times are abound. As for Brady himself, everyone but Patriots fans will be putting a rather large asterisk next to all his accomplishments.
SAVAGE
Guest
Had the Colts turned up in the Conference game last season, and, well, made a game of it.........then there might be some questions to be answered. But since the Colts didn't, then this report is moot in the public arena sense, and better for the NFL to review and change their processes internally before the next season starts.
Brando Connor
Guest
@Davico55 Kingcowboy's only contribution to the discussion seems to have been that Justin Twell is a "hater" and therefore his opinion is worthless. He could have discussed the limited impact deflating the balls in one game had in getting the Patriots getting to the Superbowl and winning it. He could have discussed that the actions of the ball boy were not shown to be at Brady's request. He could have discussed the effort put in by the rest of the Patriots players and coaches. Or the team of great players brought together. But no he decided to attack the author instead. So I have no problem with an editor on this site politely asking Kingcowboy to say something worthwhile or refrain from talking. I enjoy a conversation or even an argument, but I have no interest in people simply hurling abuse at each other.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Andrew I notice that you are wearing a USC jumper, so i assume you a fan. Do you think USC should relent their National Title they won during Pete Carroll's tenure?
Davico55
Guest
Sorry Tristan, But got to pick up point you have made here. You can't ask if someone can state facts or just attack a writer and then defend the writer saying it is an opinion article in the next breathe. If the article is an opinion on a forum based site then does not everyone not have the right to express their opinion? Not to question the integrity of the writer but have they actually read all 243 pages of the report or just writing an opinion article based on what has been reported on said article in the wider press? If the whole report has not been read by Justin then your call for facts and the defense of the writer is as bad as anything else written on here by anyone.
Justin Twell
Roar Guru
I don't see where in my article I call Tom Brady 'a cheat'. Yes he has been accused of it and the reports suggests that he actually MAY have. If Kingcowboys wants to believe that's what I've said then so be it. Like Tristan correctly points out, my article is an opinion on what the 243-page report means for Brady and the Pats, including some actual facts from the report itself.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
The manner that we all engage on the internet needs to be dealt with sensitively - as your tone never comes across as polite as you might have intended. My rules. - Be doubly polite - Address the arguments, not the writer - Be charitable in the interpretation of the writer's argument - Be triply polite
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
Seriously if you read the actual report its pretty damning. Brady refuses to fully co-operate and even flat out lies about certain details. He will definitely be punished by the NFL in some way.
steve
Guest
Totally agree jared. We're always very quick to condemn.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Tristan I can accept that my language was a touch strong but I still truly believe the context of what I have written to be true. If Justin is willing to write that Tom Brady is a cheat then he must be able to handle being called a hater. At no time have I brought race, sexual preference or anything similar to this argument. I know I would take greater offence to being called a cheat than a hater!
Jared
Roar Pro
The term "more probable than not” comes across as ridiculous in my opinion. That seems to imply that they are 51% sure Brady is guilty but don't have any true evidence. Terrible choice of words. Nevertheless it will potentially tarnish his name with some. It should at least be proved beyond doubt before all this Asterisk labeling nonsense and suspensions and fines are dolled out.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
The article is the author's opinion on what the 243-page report means for Brady and the Pats. What it isn't is a 243-page report. The implications are what's being discussed, not the science of PSIs. Tom Brady's allegedly cheated. It'd quite fair to ask the question what that means. It's not fair to say 'hater' without anything other than 'you don't know'. C'mon dude. Sure, this is your team, but let's engage in a reasonable manner.
Kingcowboy
Guest
So you want me to state facts about an article where no facts are given to support an argument? That makes no sense. Obviously you have no idea on the subject if you are allowing this to pass as an article. Are the Pats perfect? I am not arguing that is the case. They like every team bend the rules. This article goes beyond an opinion and is a biased opinion, hence my "attack" on the author. Just as he has "attacked" Tom Brady. Double standards there Tristan!
steve
Guest
Justin I think the point is that people want to start throwing asterisks against things you don't need to look very far before you've got a lot of them. Pats are an easy target for the haters given their success in the last decade.
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
Good article, Justin. I don't condone any sort of cheating, no matter how minor it is perceived to be, and therefore agree that there should be some sort of asterisk attached to Brady's record. The very fact that he refused to hand over his mobile phone to the investigation raises a few red flags for me.
Tim Brady
Guest
Mate read a book. "Spygate An Untold Story" will open your eyes. Calling people haters because a team constantly bend the rules is not a fact. That is in fact hating as well.
Justin Twell
Roar Guru
Check my Bio and you'll see Kingcowboy which team I support, and no it isn't Seattle. I don't think the NFL would share your views. ''Spygate'' proved that the NFL are willing to take action against those who seek to gain an unfair advantage over anyone else, no matter how 'minor'. What will the punishment be this time? Nobody knows. As for my asterisk comment which seems to be stirring people up, it's the general consensus among a vast majority of NFL fans in light of all this. At least from what I'm seeing/hearing. Even former NFL stars seem to be sharing the same opinion.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Kingcowboy - do you have any ability to state facts, or just attack the writer? Please engage in a manner acceptable for The Roar. There are millions of forums out there where flaming and abuse are the norm. We work hard to make sure that doesn't happen here. Your posts may not be published if this continues.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Joe it just annoys me people comment on things without having the ability to state facts and it diminishes the accomplishments of others.
Joe
Guest
Well said Kingcowboy I couldn't agree with you more
Joe
Guest
Feel free to point out the "some" who are putting the * next to Brady & N.E..they are probably just jealous. While they're at it posting imaginary * next to N.E. ,have 'em stick one next to the Buccaneers SuperBowl win,put one next to the Saints SuperBowl victory because that SuperBowl coincided with the 'Bountygate' Seattle has had more players busted for PED's in the past few seasons than anyone else,they didn't get the nickname 'Seadderall Seahawks' for no reason.Stick an * next to their SuperBowl victory as well. You could go on & on with teams & players you could put an * next to,its a ridiculous premise because a lot of records & titles would be placed with an * next to them.