BP#9 Deflategate

Deflategate is the new big scandal of the NFL today. After the New England Patriots massive 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts, reports began to surface the Patriots may have used under-inflated footballs. The use of use of under-inflated footballs gives a couple competitive advantages. One advantage is it is easier for the QB to grip and also RB’s to hold. Reports say that 11 of the Patriots 12 footballs were under the minimum 12.5 PSI. Reports have come out linking Tom Brady to locker room attendants John Jastremski and Jim McNally on game day of the AFC championship game. Although reports state Tom Brady knew, they also state Bill Belicheck and Bob Kraft did not know. These reports state after half time all balls were checked and were put back to league regulations, when the Patriots scored most of their points.

While the Ted Wells report was there in length, it lacks in substance. The Ted Wells report lacks any substantial evidence and was based more on assumptions. The 243 page report lacked any substantial evidence that would hold up in an actual court of law. The circumstantial evidence says Tom Brady “is more likely than not” guilty. Even if Brady is guilty, the Tom Wells report does not have enough solid evidence to prove it. I personally believe he is not guilty, with the Wells report cementing my opinion. The NFL will also back the Wells report as they paid millions of dollars for it, and will not refute it.

Both Tom Brady and the Patriots have punishments. The Patriots were fined $1,000,000 and lost 2 draft picks and Tom Brady was suspended for four games. I believe the Patriots fine is even more ludicrous than Tom Brady’s punishment. I believe this because in the Wells report, it says Bob Kraft and Bill Belicheck had no knowledge of this happening. This ruling goes against the Wells report because it is punishing people that it reported not guilty. Tom Brady’s punishment is also too much as Ray Rice was only suspended for two games originally, making the ruling for deflating footballs more severe than domestic violence. I believe neither of these punishments are fair or fitting of the accused crime.

The Ted Wells report offers very little substantial evidence making it tough to give a proper punishment. The $1,000,000 fine and four game suspension is too much. The first change I would make is to take the fine away from the patriots. The report states it does not have evidence to link the team to this incident, so the team should not be fined. Also, Tom Brady should not be suspended. Without substantial evidence a suspension is illogical and wrong. I would instead fine Tom Brady instead of the team an amount from $80,000-$150,000. The Deflategate incident was mismanaged as a whole. The Wells report was biased as Tom Wells is known to work for the NFL on multiple occasions giving the NFL favorable verdicts. If I was in charge, I would have handled this very differently.