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[chadskin]

AP: BREAKING: NFL finds it probable that Patriots deliberately deflated balls, Brady `generally aware'

https://twitter.com/ap/status/595998917944332288

Here's the full report: https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.co...s-re-footballs-used-during-afc-championsh.pdf

Conclusion:
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 Officials 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. Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.

We do not believe that the evidence establishes that any other Patriots personnel participated in or had knowledge of the violation of the Playing Rules or the deliberate effort to circumvent the rules described in this Report. 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. We also do not believe there was any wrongdoing or knowledge of wrongdoing by Patriots Head Equipment Manager Dave Schoenfeld.

Statement from Roger Goodell:

"I want to express my appreciation to Ted Wells and his colleagues for performing a thorough and independent investigation, the findings and conclusions of which are set forth in today’s comprehensive report.
As with other recent matters involving violations of competitive rules, Troy Vincent and his team will consider what steps to take in light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to avoid future incidents of this type. At the same time, we will continue our efforts vigorously to protect the integrity of the game and promote fair play at all times."

Statement from Patriots CEO Robert Kraft (full statement here):

“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.”

Statement from Tom Brady('s agent) (full statement here):

"The Wells report, with all due respect, is a significant and terrible disappointment. It’s omission of key facts and lines of inquiry suggest the investigators reached a conclusion first, and then determined so-called facts later. One fact alone taints this entire report. What does it say about the league office’s protocols and ethics when it allows one team to tip it off to an issue prior to a championship game, and no league officials or game officials notified the Patriots of the same issue prior to the game? This suggests it may be more probable than not that the league cooperated with the Colts in perpetrating a sting operation."

Aftermath:

SportsCenter: BREAKING: NFL suspends Tom Brady 4 games, fines Patriots $1M, strips team of '16 1st-round pick & '17 4th-round pick. http://t.co/iolDCvOF2H

https://twitter.com/sportscenter/status/597877778499948544

"McNally and Jastremski have been suspended indefinitely. Jastremski barred from having any contact with footballs" - @BenVolin

 

[Megalosaro]

Lol sure.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Probable

 

[HarryDemeanor]

Did they or did they not?

Just say it.

 

[AgentChris]

Dock them draft picks for the next draft.

 

[Darth Pinche]

Fuck the Patriots.

 

[Acerac]

Sounds about right. Absolutely nothing of any significance will come of it.

 

[braves01]

The salt is real. Even if the Patriots did actually cheat, I am highly skeptical that it had any impact on the game. Penalize them accordingly because rule-breaking should be discouraged, but it doesn't really put an asterisk next to the victory in my eyes.

 

[JesseZao]

NFL also found to be interested in low-impact results.

 

[Subitai]

One week late.

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

Did they or did they not?

Just say it.

 

[fuzzyset]

How do I become someone that (presumably) gets paid lots of money to perform silly studies like this?

 

[Rival]

This is not surprising.

 

[JaseMath]

Of course they did.

 

[ReAxion]

sports ball!

 

[Megalosaro]

That conclusion doesn't say much

 

[Liquidsnake]

Can we put a * next to their name this year?

 

[LQX]

After the Superbowl, after the Draft. Good job.

 

[SteveWinwood]

pats cheat

news at 11

 

[entremet]

Great timing!

 

[Coins]

Still the Champs. Still the greatest quarterback of all time. Fuck the haters.

 

[Various Artists]

It took them this long to get to the conclusion of "eh, they probably did it" money well spent.

 

[Himynameischris]

Can we put a * next to their name this year?

Just delete the entire bill/tom era from the records.

 

[Skinny Pete]

Ok please suspend Brady for week 1 vs the Steelers thanks.

 

[CapitalismSucks DonkeyBalls]

Probable

More severe than "possibly"

This is srs business

 

[chadskin]

That conclusion doesn't say much

Sorry, that was just the conclusion of one of the tests they did. Their conclusion for the full report is actually filed under "Executive Summary" right at the beginning of the document. I've edited the quote in the OP.

 

[darkazcura]

Probable? No definitive answer? Lol, what a joke. Looks like they found nothing and are trying to add some heat to the Patriots because of how long this investigation took.

 

[GalacticMouse]

Pretty gross that the report can't come up with a hard verdict after all that time and money wasted spent. Instead we get things like "more probable than not" and "generally aware."

So basically a 243 page "hunch." Bravo, NFL. Bravo.

 

[TheDrizzlerJ11]

Can we put a * next to their name this year?

Let's just dot the i in Patriots with one until Bill and Tom leave.

Probable? No definitive answer? Lol, what a joke. Looks like they found nothing and are trying to add some heat to the Patriots because of how long this investigation took.

LOL

 

[Piston Hyundai]

Sounds about right. Absolutely nothing of any significance will come of it.

 

[Dr.Acula]

Wasn't the only ball that was deflated to a significant degree the ball that was in the Colt's possession? Did anyone do an investigation that the Colt's "coulda" deflated it?

And how the hell does this exonerate Belichick?

 

[Liquidsnake]

Well Goodell works for them so what ever.

 

[Camwi]

Still the Champs. Still the greatest quarterback of all time. Fuck the haters.

Montana still shits all over Brady.

 

[OSHAN]

It took them this long to say "Yeah, maybe they did, but you know, we can't prove it."

 

[darkazcura]

Let's just dot the i in Patriots with one until Bill and Tom leave.

LOL

Well half this thread is already mocking the results. Laugh all you want, but this will be some people's reaction with such a 'nothing' conclusion.

To be fair, though, I would have to read the whole report and come to my own conclusion if I really wanted to. Unfortunately a vast majority of the public and media will not read the whole report and only this conclusion which is...nothing.

 

[Mesoian]

Ugh god, who cares?

Yes it's "probable". It's also "probable" that every other team was doing the same thing and shining too much light on it would create a tangible controversy that no one wants.

Let it go.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

They have text conversations that more or less confirm what Brady said about ball pressure being to his liking as he said repeatedly.The ball guy however likes to have fun with inflating and deflating them in the process of fucking with Brady and going beyond the rules.

 

[perfectchaos007]

A 243 page report!? I'll read it on my lunch break

 

[bchamba]

the NFL should crown the deserving team the superbowl champs

Spoiler

Ravens

 

[Vilam]

Still a franchise with zero legitimate Super Bowl wins. They'll be remembered as cheaters for as long as the NFL is around.

 

[chris121580]

Worst franchise

 

[bionic77]

Montana still shits all over Brady.

Montana will always known be for the catch and that TD pass to Taylor to win the SB.

Brady's signature plays? Tuck rule, deflating footballs and being a cheating cunt.

 

[chuckddd]

Get some lotion for that incoming slap on the wrist, Tom.

 

[PopeReal]

The salt is real. Even if the Patriots did actually cheat, I am highly skeptical that it had any impact on the game. Penalize them accordingly because rule-breaking should be discouraged, but it doesn't really put an asterisk next to the victory in my eyes.

The purpose of cheating is to gain an advantage. Why would they do it otherwise?

 

[crimzonflame]

Montana will always known be for the catch and that TD pass to Taylor to win the SB.

Brady's signature plays? Tuck rule, deflating footballs and being a cheating cunt.

thank you

 

[zelas]

The NFL should probably hold these cheaters accountable

 

[W1SSY]

So they cheated but the NFL does not want to say it outright because it will hurt the league. That sounds like the NFL to me.

 

[inky]

A little late, don't you think?

 

[Liquidsnake]

Montana will always known be for the catch and that TD pass to Taylor to win the SB.

Brady's signature plays? Tuck rule, deflating footballs and being a cheating cunt.

So true.

 

[ViperVisor]

of course.

The QBs knows his balls. It's almost the equivalent of a pitcher saying they weren't aware a baseball was doctored.

Joe Niekro Searched By Umpires, Tosses Emery Board
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo_u4pMAlx0