Staff for the New England Patriots likely deliberately deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game, and quarterback Tom Brady most likely knew about it, according to a "Deflategate"
report released Wednesday by independent investigator Ted Wells.
The investigation began amidst accusations that the Patriots intentionally used underinflated footballs on offensive plays during the game, in which they defeated the Indianapolis Colts and went on to win Super Bowl XLIX.
"We have concluded that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the official 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,” the report said.
The report also said that Brady was at least “generally aware” of the activities. But the report cleared other Patriots officials from wrongdoing.
“In particular, we do not believe there was any wrongdoing or knowledge of wrongdoing by Patriots ownership, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, or any other Patriots coach in the matters investigated," the report said.
Patriots owner Robert Craft said he still believes the team did
nothing inappropriate, the New York Daily News reported.
“While I respect the independent process of the investigation, the time, effort, and resources expended to reach this conclusion are incomprehensible to me,” Craft said in a statement.
“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.”
Twitter users shared mixed reactions to the news.