Deflate-Gate Solved?

The NFL has been investigating “deflate-gate”. The Colts complained that several footballs were underinflated during the AFC Championship Game in January. The Patriots would knock off the Colts 45-7. The NFL discovered that 11 of the 12 footballs used by New England in the game were underinflated. The NFL requires footballs to be pressurized between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. Deflated footballs can be easier to grip and catch. This gave the Patriots an advantage. The NFL launched an investigation to see who was responsible for this and hired Ted Wells. Wells turned in a 243-page report to the NFL on Wednesday and here is what he found out.

Wells determined that the New England Patriots locker room personnel were involved. The two that probably deflated the footballs were Jim McNally, who is the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots, and Jon Jastremski, an equipment assistant. According to ESPN Wells said, “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.”

Wells also believes that Tom Brady was aware of what was going on with the footballs. Brady has denied that fact. Wells also stated the league didn’t find any evidence that Head Coach Bill Belichick knew it was happening.

It would make sense that Tom Brady knew about the footballs. Quarterbacks are the players who throw and touch the football most in a game. If he likes the football a little deflated, that would give him an advantage to throw the football easier.   This would also benefit the receivers in catching the ball.

Why would Jim McNally and Jon Jastremski listen to Tom Brady? They should have known it was cheating. If they knew Tom Brady was asking for this they could have told upper management. Bill Belichick is the one who must know what his players are doing on and off the field. It’s hard to believe he didn’t know anything about “deflate-gate”.

Ted Wells will turn over the report to NFL Executive Vice President Of Football Operations, Troy Vincent. The NFL will look it over and decide what discipline, if any, Brady, McNally, and Jastremski will receive. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefiter, discipline is days away. The punishment for the Patriots should be a $500,000 fine and docked a first-round draft pick next year. Tom Brady should be suspended between four and six games for his involvement. Jim McNally and Jon Jastremski ought to be banned from the NFL.

            What punishment should Tom Brady, Jon Jastremski, and Jim McNally receive for their participation in “deflate-gate”?