Tom Brady Denies Tampering With Footballs

A nervous looking Tom Brady vehemently denied tampering with game balls prior to Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts during a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at Gillette Stadium for nearly 30 minutes, the New England Patriots quarterback said he did not alter any of the game balls he selected for use during the game, nor would he do something that would break the rules of the game.

“I didn’t alter the balls in any way. I have a process where I pick the balls I want to use for the games,” Brady said. “Sunday night was the same process. I didn’t think anything of it and then on Monday morning I answered a question about it on the radio.”

Prior to the games, Brady prepares and selects the football to be used by the Patriots’ offense. Once the balls are selected, they are given to the equipment staff and checked by the referee. He said he does not see the balls again until he takes the field.

“When I pick those footballs out at that point they’re perfect, I don’t want anyone touching them. To me, they’re perfect and that’s what I expect on the field,” Brady said.

Brady said he prefers the footballs used to be inflated with 12.5 pounds of pressure per square inch, calling it a perfect grip. NFL rules require game balls to be inflated between 12.5-13.5 pounds of pressure per square inch.

Like coach Bill Belichick, Brady pleaded ignorance to the accusation of the team intentionally deflating or underinflating their game balls, telling reporters that he did not know it was an issue until a radio interview with WEEI on Monday morning.

When asked if he felt a difference in the footballs during the game, Brady said he did not think about it.

“I didn’t think twice of them. I didn’t put one thought into them. Once I pick the balls I expect them to be on the field. I assumed they were exactly the same,” Brady said.

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Currently, the NFL is investigating whether the Patriots intentionally deflated their game balls. During Sunday’s game, the Colts became suspicious of the Patriots’ game ball after D’Qwell Jackson intercepted Brady towards the end of the first half a according to Indianapolis reporter Bob Kravitz. At halftime, the Patriots’ game balls were reexamined, with the referees switching to backup balls after a one minute delay between the second half kick-off and the start of the Patriots’ first play of the third quarter.

During a Pro Bowl practice on Thursday, Jackson told reporters that he did not notice anything wrong with the football.

Late Tuesday night, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that an NFL investigation discovered that 11 of the 12 game balls used by the Patriots were underinflated. All of the Colts’ game balls were found to be properly inflated.

The investigation is expected to wrap up by the end of the week.

Brady said he has not been contacted by NFL officials regarding the investigation.

If the Patriots were found to be intentionally underinflating game balls, the team faces a fine of at least $25,000 and the loss of draft picks.

Photo Credit: WHDH