New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday that he had no knowledge of under-inflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game last Sunday.
During a press conference to address the “deflategate” controversy, Brady said that he was as “surprised as anyone” when he heard that the Patriots may have been using deflated footballs during the first half of the game. Brady said he first heard of the controversy Monday morning.
“I didn’t alter the ball in any way,” Brady told reporters. “I would never do anything outside of the rules of play.”
The press conference also had its lighter moments, many involving repeated usage of a certain word.
Asked if he was a cheater, Brady said that he didn’t believe so. He also noted that it's very unlikely anyone will die as a result of "deflategate":
"I would never do anything to break the rules,” Brady said at a slightly less ridiculous point in the presser. “I respect the league."
He also said he has never had knowledge that he was playing with an under-inflated ball during his career.
“I have no knowledge of anything. I have no knowledge of any wrongdoing,” Brady continued. “I’m very comfortable saying that."
"I also don’t know everything,” he added.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that an NFL investigation had come to the conclusion that 11 of the 12 footballs provided by the Patriots during the AFC Championship Game were under-inflated. The NFL is investigating, but at this point I think we all know the real story here. A final quote, via Mashable:
"Everybody has a preference. Some guys like them round. Some guys like them thin. Some guys like them tacky. Some guys like them brand new. Some guys like old balls."
"Deflategate" has officially gone off the rails.
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