Deflategate Investigation Finds Tom Brady Likely Aware Of Underinflated Footballs

Elise Amendola / AP

New England Patriots staffers intentionally broke NFL rules by releasing air from AFC Championship game balls, and star quarterback Tom Brady was "generally aware" of the violation, an official report released Wednesday concluded.

"Based on the evidence developed in connection with the investigation and summarized in this Report, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the NFL Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate attempt to circumvent those rules," lawyer Ted Wells wrote in his report for the NFL.

"Based on the evidence, we also have concluded that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls."

The report concludes that though the personnel deflated the footballs, Brady himself was responsible for orchestrating the scheme. Based on text messages and gifts given to an attendant from Brady, Wells' report determined:

[I]t is unlikely that an equipment assistant and a locker room
attendant would deflate game balls without Brady's knowledge and approval. Based on our
interviews and assessment of McNally and Jastremski, we also do not believe that they would
personally and unilaterally engage in such conduct in the absence of Brady's awareness and
consent.

Text messages between McNally and Jastremski show a contentious, but obedient relationship with the quarterback:

McNally: Tom sucks...im going make that next ball a fuckin balloon

Jastremski: Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done... I told him it was. He was right though...

The report found that a needle was used to deflate the footballs:

Jastremski: Can‟t wait to give you your needle this week :)

McNally: Fuck tom....make sure the pump is attached to the needle.....fuckin watermelons coming

Jastremski: So angry

McNally: The only thing deflating sun..is his passing rating

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Read the report here: