NFL finds Patriots employees probably deflated balls
NEW YORK (AP/WISH) – An NFL investigation has found that New England Patriots employees likely deflated footballs and that quarterback Tom Brady was “at least generally aware” of the rules violations.
The Patriots employees implicated in the report include Jim McNally, an officials locker room attendant who worked part-time, and John Jastremski, an equipment assistant.
The NFL began the investigation after the Patriots won the AFC Championship game in January, when the Indianapolis Colts complained that several footballs were under inflated.
The 243-page report released Wednesday said league investigators found no evidence that coach Bill Belichick and team management knew of the practice.
The Colts complained that several footballs were under inflated and the NFL confirmed that 11 of the 12 footballs were under the limit. The investigation started as the Patriots were preparing for the Super Bowl – which they won two weeks later.
Footballs with less pressure can be easier to grip and catch. Some quarterbacks prefer footballs that have less air.
The NFL requires balls to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch, and each team is responsible for the balls it uses on offense.
The Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a release that he believed the Patriots had done nothing wrong and that the league would find the same results.
“I was convinced that Ted Wells’ investigation would find the same factual evidence supported by both scientific formula and independent research as we did and would ultimately exonerate the Patriots. Based on the explanations I have heard and the studies that have been done, I don’t know how the science of atmospheric conditions can be refuted or how conclusions to the contrary can be drawn without some definitive evidence,” Kraft said.
Kraft also said that he was disappointed in the findings.
“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,” said Kraft.
To read Kraft’s full statement click here.
The NFL will consider what steps to take next for disciplinary and any changes to protocols needed to prevent a future incident. The NFL said in a statement that “at the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all times.”
The Colts said they are aware of the results and had no comment on Wednesday afternoon.EVENTS BEFORE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
According to the report, officials were about to take the game balls to the field but couldn’t find them. Official Walt Anderson said it was the first time in 19 years as an NFL referree that he could not locate the game balls at the start of a game.
Later in the report, it states that based on video evidence and witness interviews, “McNally removed the game balls from the officials locker room.” It goes on to say that McNally then went to a bathroom, locked the door and, “remained in the bathroom with the game balls for approximately one minute and forty seconds. He then left the bathroom and took the bags of the game balls to the field.”
After reading that portion, Colts fan Jeffrey Tharp said, “I’m thinking he absolutely has something to do with it.”
Based on the report, Tharp might have a point. The documents state McNally sent a text message before the 2015 season saying, “Nice dude….jimmy needs some kicks….lets make a deal…come on help the deflator.”
“The deflator, like it’s his nickname,” said Tharp. “Like he’s proud that he did it.”
In the report, NFL officials said McNally removing the game balls from the official’s locker room was a breach of standard operating pre-game procedure.
After the game, the report states NFL security interviewed McNally. He told them he took the footballs straight to the field.
During follow up interviews, he gave varying stories on why he stopped in the bathroom.TEXT MESSAGES
Inflation, deflation, needles, and a general disdain for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady were common themes in the text messages exchanged between McNally and Jastremski.
According the to the report, on October 24, 2014, Jastremski texted McNally saying, “I have a big needle for u this week.” McNally replied, “Better be surrounded by cash and new kicks… or it’s a rugby sunday”
Months earlier on May 9, McNally sent a text to Jastremski saying, “Nice dude…jimmy needs some kicks….lets make a deal…..come on help the deflator.”
McNally followed that by saying in part… “Chill buddy….im not going to espn….yet.”
Almost all of the texts in the report were between McNally and Jastremski except for a few.
According to the documents, the day after the AFC championship game Brady sent texts to Jastremski saying, “You good Jonny boy? “You doing good?” Jastremski replied with, “Still nervous; so far so good though.”
He followed that by saying, “FYI….Dave will be picking your brain later about it. He’s not accusing me, or anyone…trying to get to bottom of it. He knows it’s unrealistic you did it yourself.”BRADY’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE INVESTIGATION
According to the report, investigators interviewed Brady and he voluntarily answered questions. However, he declined to provide any documents, text messages, or emails. Investigators said that limited their ability to potentially find more evidence in the case.
In the texts between McNally and Jastremski, the name “Tom” was often included in relation to deflating and inflating footballs before games.
After the deflategate controversy started, the report states Brady talked on the phone with the Jastremski twice a day for three days. The reason that stands out is because investigators said Brady and Jastremski had not talked on the phone for at least six months prior to those calls.
The report didn’t set well with Colts fans.
“Being from Indianapolis I don’t know if we could not like Tom Brady any more. But yeah, definitely is not going to help,” said Tharp.
“I’m not a Brady hater, but I don’t like cheathing though,” said Sam Meadows. “And it sounds like he was cheating.”
In the report, the investigators said that the attorney for the Patriots questioned the integrity and objectivity of the game officials, NFL executives, and NFL security who were at the AFC championship game. But investigators found no evidence to support those concerns.Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Read the 243-page report below: