Wells Report: 'Probable' that Patriots deliberately deflated footballs, Brady was aware
Ted Wells has concluded his investigation of the New England Patriots' alleged under-inflating of footballs in their AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts.
After 103 days, the extensive report finds it "more probable than not" that team personnel both participated in violations of league rules and was involved in a deliberate attempt to circumvent those rules.
To read the full report, click here.
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. In particular, we conclude that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally and John Jastremski participated in a deliberate plan to circumvent the rules by releasing air from Patriots game balls after the examination of the footballs by NFL game officials at the AFC Championship Game. We believe that McNally and Jastremski were aware that the inflation level of the Patriots game balls following pre-game inspection by the game officials would be approximately 12.5 psi and planned for McNally to deflate the balls below that level following the pre-game inspection using a needle provided by Jastremski. 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.
In addition to its findings that Brady was aware of the activities carried out by locker room staffers McNally and Jastremski, the report states that the Patriots' quarterback was uncooperative throughout the investigation, declining to turn over the required documentation and/or electronic materials.
Similarly, although Tom Brady appeared for a requested interview and answered questions voluntarily, he declined to make available any documents or electronic information (including text messages and emails) that we requested, even though those requests were limited to the subject matter of our investigation (such as messages concerning the preparation of game balls, air pressure of balls, inflation of balls or deflation of balls) and we offered to allow Brady's counsel to screen and control the production so that it would be limited strictly to responsive materials and would not involve our taking possession of Brady's telephone or other electronic devices. Our inability to review contemporaneous communications and other documents in Brady's possession and control related to the matters under review potentially limited the discovery of relevant evidence and was not helpful to the investigation.
Aside from the aforementioned employees, no other Patriots personnel is thought to have participated in or had knowledge about the violations. This includes head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots' ownership.
Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft issued a statement Wednesday, accepting but disagreeing with the findings of the Wells Report.
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.
As a result of the report's conclusions, the NFL can now be expected to consider potential fines and suspensions for Brady, the Patriots' employees in question and the organization as a whole. NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent will take the lead with regards to discipline.