From the Tuck Rule, to Spy Gate, and now Deflate Gate? You’ve heard it all about the New England Patriots. This time, they’re stuck in another scandal in which the Colts excused the Patriots of deflating footballs. The Ravens also warned the Colts about the things New England could be up to, and when the NFL investigated, they found that 11 out of 12 footballs were deflated by 2 pounds in the AFC Championship game. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick however, deny any involvement.

Bill Belichick says he had no prior knowledge about the footballs being deflated.

“I was shocked to learn of the footballs on Monday. I had no knowledge until Monday morning,” Bill Belichick said. “I’d say I’ve learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew, or had talked about it, in the last 40 years that I’ve coached in this league.”

Belichick’s line that was repeated multiple times was:

“I have no explanation for what happened” and “I’ve told you everything I know.”

“In my entire coaching career, I have never talked to any player or staff member about football air pressure,” he said. “The footballs are approved by the league and officials pregame, and we play with what’s out there. That’s the only way that I have ever thought about that.” – Bill Belichick

“I think we all know that quarterbacks, kickers, specialists have certain preferences on footballs. They know a lot more about it than I do. They’re a lot more sensitive to it than I am,” he said, having earlier detailed his coaching philosophy of always making things difficult for players in practice as it relates to the condition of footballs.

“I hear them comment on it from time to time, but I can tell you and they will tell you that there is never any sympathy whatsoever from me on that subject. Zero. Tom’s personal preferences on his footballs is something he can talk about in much better detail and information than I can possibly provide.”

Tom Brady also denied any involvement in deflating footballs.

“I didn’t alter the ball in any way.”

“When I pick those footballs out, at that point, to me, they’re perfect,” Brady said. “I don’t want anyone touching the balls after that. I don’t want anyone rubbing them, putting any air in them, taking any air out. To me, those balls are perfect, and that’s what I expect when I show up on the field.”

“I’m not squeezing them, that’s not part of my process,” Brady explained. “I grab it. I feel the lace, the leather. I feel the tack on the ball. That’s really what you go for.”

Some NFL fans have thought of Brady as someone who always gets his way and is a “cheater. Tom himself? Nope.

“I feel like I have always played within the rules,” Brady said. “I would never break the rules.”

“I was as surprised as anybody when I heard Monday morning what was happening,” Brady said.

Of course Brady had to have a little of fun with the press conference. As no one wants to stand there and explain every possible thing.

“We’re gonna be fine. This isn’t ISIS. No one’s dying.”

“I was very shocked to hear it, so I almost laughed it off thinking that was more sour grapes than anything,” Brady said. “And it ends up being a very serious thing when you start learning the things that were just the integrity of the game.”

Brady on if this deflating football scandal has been blown out of proportion:

“Yeah.”

The maximum fine for anyone found tampering with footballs is 25 thousand dollars. The person who did it could also face more severe action.

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