Tom Brady’s Agent Spot-On With Assessment of Wells Report

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Months after the fact, Ted Wells and his group finally released the findings of their investigation regarding the now infamous “Deflategate.” According to the report, it’s probable that a New England Patriots worker deliberately deflated the footballs used in the team’s AFC Championship win over the Colts this past season. Quarterback Tom Brady was also said to be probably “at least generally aware” of the rules violations.

Probably generally aware! Come one. You mean to tell me that’s the best the NFL and Wells could come up with after their multi-million dollar investigation? At least give us a slew of concrete facts, not a bunch of questionable generalizations. I don’t buy it and neither does Brady’s agent.

Brady’s agent, Don Yee, blasted the report. And understandably so, Yee was highly critical of Wells’ findings. Yee said the 243-page report “contains significant and tragic flaws” and “is a significant and terrible disappointment.”

The report cited evidence of locker room attendant Jim McNally taking the footballs into a bathroom for 100 seconds.  According to the report, it was “an amount of time sufficient to deflate thirteen footballs using a needle.” Also cited in the report, Walt Anderson said he was unable to find the approved footballs when kickoff rolled around. In regards to Brady’s involvement, the report cited no substantial evidence linking him to the act, yet just an inference saying he likely knew.

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“It’s omission of key facts and lines of inquiry suggest the investigators reached a conclusion first, and then determined so-called facts later,” Yee said in his statement.

Yee feels the report was haphazardly thrown together. One valid point he raised was the fact almost all of Brady’s testimony from a meeting with the NFL was not included in the final report. Yee said much of what Brady said was “critical because it would have provided this report with the context that it lacks.”

In defense of Brady, Yee spoke of the investigators overseeing the case. He said the “investigators had limited understanding of professional football.”

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Many are now calling for Brady to be punished for his supposed role in the controversy. Some are calling for a fine, while others are pushing for a suspension as a penalty. Carrying out such punishment against Brady would be highly controversial considering he needs to be proven guilty. The report leaves much more information to be desired. There’s plenty of doubt surrounding Brady’s involvement and probable cause is far from enough to indict him.

Yee summed up the whole report perfectly saying the “investigators’ assumptions and inferences are easily debunked or subject to multiple interpretations.”

It should not be surprising if and when Brady and his lawyers decide to sue the NFL over the report’s findings. A case of defamation could easily be presented in court.

Next: Gronk Contending for Spot on Madden Cover