Information Regarding Deflate-gate
As most of us know by now, the patriots have been accused of tampering with the air pressure in 11\12 footballs during the Colts Championship game before the Superbowl. In an interview just after the first report, Tom Brady, along with Bill Billichick, denied any involvement with deflating footballs during the Colts game and they claim it was disrespectful for the NFL to even accuse them of cheating. The NFL then hired a man named Ted Wells, a top investigator for the NFL, to investigate the Patriots Deflate-Gate scandal just after the Superbowl. The 2015 NFL Draft occurred and many people ignored the past Deflate-gate issue and moved on. However, 3 months passed and the NFL finally spoke, telling reporters the investigation has been occurring and the Report would be released shortly. On May 6, 2015 at 01:33 p.m., Ted Wells released the “Wells Report” explaining all the evidence and background information regarding the incident. The 241 page report showed a handful of evidence ranging from text messages to player interviews. The Report clearly recognizes that the Patriots were not cooperating with the Investigation, telling us that Brady denied giving up his cell phone to investigators and would not allow Jim McNally, a locker room official who handles the footballs, to meet in a face-to-face interview with Wells, insisting only a phone call conversation. Mr. Wells clearly stated in the report that the Patriots were “More Probable than Not” guilty of deflating the footballs. Just a few days later after the Report was released, The NFL sent a letter to Tom Brady and Coach Bill Billichick explaining their findings and evidence. The NFL also reported that the Patriots would be fined One-Million dollars, a 1st round draft pick taken away, a 4th round 2017 draft pick taken, and finally, a four game suspension to Tom Brady for Not cooperating with the NFL and Lying to the NFL association. Tom Brady does not agree with the penalty, claiming there is not enough physical evidence, and has filed an appeal on May 11th. Within the next few days, we should hear back from the NFL and see if they will change the punishment. The Patriots have been fined the largest penalty in football history along with the second highest fine of five hundred thousand dollars for spygate back in 2007. This is the Patriots fifth cheating scandal in Patriots history and many are getting tired of the New England Patriots always on the News for cheating. Click the link for the full report, which consists of evidence, background information, and other occurrences that happened during the investigation. https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/investigative-and-expert-reports-re-footballs-used-during-afc-championsh.pdf David Ortiz Well known throughout New England, the big bad homerun machine, David Ortiz is a large part of the Boston Red Sox team; however he is facing a penalty due to poor behavior. On 4\21\15, David Ortiz was furious over a ruling by Umpire, John Tumpane and wouldn’t stop arguing over an attempted check of a 1-1 pitch. Vice President, Joe Garagiola suspended Ortiz for one game and called it “unnecessary” to act in a way like so. Ortiz appealed the suspension and lost which means his suspension remained. Red Sox Coach, John Farrell was asked about Ortiz’s behavior during the Baltimore game and told reporters “If there was any contact, it was slight if at all, and it wasn't anything intentional, I know that”. |