NFL: New England Patriots' Tom Brady denies any wrongdoing in 'Deflate-Gate' controversy
Friday 23 January 2015 13:37, UK
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has denied suggestions he is a cheat as he addressed the gathering controversy surrounding the team’s use of under-inflated footballs.
An NFL investigation found 11 of the Patriots' 12 game balls from their 45-7 AFC Championship Game win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday were inflated significantly below the league’s requirements.
Brady was quick to deny allegations that he had purposefully tampered with the balls and stressed how important the integrity of the NFL is to him.
“I didn’t alter the ball in any way,” Brady said. “I’ve always played within the rules. I believe in fair play.”
He added: “I have no knowledge of any wrongdoing. I am very comfortable saying that.”
When asked directly if he was a cheater, the 37-year-old was emphatic: “I don’t believe so. I believe I’ve always played within the rules.”
Brady confirmed he personally selected 24 footballs for the officials to inspect prior to the game but insisted he had no knowledge of anyone deflating the footballs in the period between the inspection and half-time in the game when the problem was discovered.
"When I pick the footballs out [before the game], at that point to me they're perfect," he said. "I don't want anyone touching the balls after that. ... That's what I expect when I show up on the field."
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Brady also said he did notice any change between the underinflated balls he used in the first half and the fully-inflated ones he used in the second.
“From the first half to the second half, I didn’t think twice about it,” he said, comparing the process to breaking in a baseball glove. “Once I approve the ball that’s the ball I expect out there.”
The 37-year-old confirmed he had spoken to the Patriots equipment staff about whether they had tampered with the balls and was satisfied they had not and also revealed he has not yet spoken to the NFL regarding the matter.
Earlier on Thursday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he was 'shocked' to read reports of his team using deflated balls in the game.
"When I came in Monday morning, I was shocked to learn of the news reports," Belichick said. "I had no knowledge of this situation whatsoever.
"The National Football League is investigating the situation. We have cooperated fully, quickly, completely with every request they have made.
"We will take steps in the future to ensure that we don't put ourselves in that type of situation again. I have no explanation of what happened. That's what they're looking into.”
