Moments ago, the NFL and Ted Wells released their official report on DeflateGate, specifically the under-inflated footballs used by the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship.
More details will be released later, but Wells’ summary states:
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. In particular, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the Patriots locker room attendant previously identified as the chief suspect) and John Jastremski (a Patriots equipment manager) 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 (New England Patriots quarterback) Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.
So just let that sink in for a minute. Tom Brady is in major trouble. The Patriots will get hit too, as a team. It really doesn’t appear that Bill Belichick and the other coaches aren’t implicated, so they likely won’t be hit.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a follow-up statement:
Throughout the process of this investigation we have cooperated and patiently awaited its outcome. To say we are disappointed in its findings, which to do not including any incontrovertible or hard evidence of the deflation of footballs in the AFC Championship Game would be a gross understatement.
