Brady cheated. His ego took over his better judgment. It happens, sadly enough. He has had his run in the spotlight, mostly earned, but it now may be time for him to find a graceful way to retire and move on.
Michael Powell presents Tom Brady and sports. He often presents our world in the metaphor. In a Bronx high school we find the most wonderful coach saving troubled kids with basketball and team devotion, healthy competition, group dynamics, all battling the pull of the street, adolescence, sex, the wicked stuff that plagues kids everywhere. In Tom Brady, in truth, we do not know the truth, but we know in our hearts that the Pats and Brady have managed to win, come what may, and softer leather is just part of it. Money and fame have corrupted the most successful so often. So, from Goldman, Sachs, Bob Freeman served time as his boss, Bob Rubin, served Bill Clinton. The credit default swap hammered all, but who paid? Greece, the banks and the poor paid, Goldman walked. Drugs hammered sport. Who pays? Well, collapsing Powell's writings, kids pay and our nation pays, and The United States of America exports our misapplied values and all pay. Where does it start? Try the family. Try addictions of every type. Try our most successful. We see Powell working that Bronx coach. Both work to save using the team and sport in that example. Those kids. Basketball. What does Tom Brady do? What example does he set? What message do the Pats and the NFL send? What do kids learn from pro football and Goldman, Sachs? From our politicians? From Bill and Hillary and Monica? From the hysterics of Trump. How do we find our way back? Our borders and Europe's borders, the tunnel under the channel, mtc..
Tom Brady was doing business the way business is done in the NFL. Until now the league turned a blind eye to quarterbacks and their staff personalizing the ball, as it were.
Tommy should have acknowledged this without getting into specifics, taken a fine and be done with it. He was poorly counseled to prevaricate and litigate, and now the Pats and Brady are stuck with a world class mess.
I thought that Brady and Krafty were smart enough and rich enough to avoid all this. Guess I was wrong. Anyway: Go PATS !
Tommy should have acknowledged this without getting into specifics, taken a fine and be done with it. He was poorly counseled to prevaricate and litigate, and now the Pats and Brady are stuck with a world class mess.
I thought that Brady and Krafty were smart enough and rich enough to avoid all this. Guess I was wrong. Anyway: Go PATS !
1
The comparison to Nixon is apt, in as much as, like Nixon, the Patriots would have won regardless. I imagine Republicans at the time must have felt similarly frustrated as we Patriots fans do now.
The telephone is a non-issue. Brady had a right to protect his and his wife's privacy. There are any number of possible reasons why he might not have liked somebody reading his old text messages. Who would?
Maybe there was ball tampering. I suspect that if you looked hard at any NFL franchise, you would find people cutting corners, bending rules, avoiding scrutiny in order to gain an edge.
This is where I become a conspiracy theorist-- I think that John Harbaugh was extremely upset at Belichick's ingenious, confounding exploitation of substitutions, after the Ravens lost in the playoffs. I mean, I know that. Everybody knows that. But I think he and Steve Bisciotti were upset enough to get revenge. And I think they knew, or somebody near one of them knew that this was happening. And I think this was all an effort to besmirch a franchise that has always been just a little better than everybody else at doing what any professional athlete or athletic organization does-- push the boundaries.
I think if you are a sore enough loser, you could find some irrelevant technicality that your opponent exploits, and paint them as a cheater. But what Belichick did was brilliant. And what Brady allegedly did was irrelevant.
The telephone is a non-issue. Brady had a right to protect his and his wife's privacy. There are any number of possible reasons why he might not have liked somebody reading his old text messages. Who would?
Maybe there was ball tampering. I suspect that if you looked hard at any NFL franchise, you would find people cutting corners, bending rules, avoiding scrutiny in order to gain an edge.
This is where I become a conspiracy theorist-- I think that John Harbaugh was extremely upset at Belichick's ingenious, confounding exploitation of substitutions, after the Ravens lost in the playoffs. I mean, I know that. Everybody knows that. But I think he and Steve Bisciotti were upset enough to get revenge. And I think they knew, or somebody near one of them knew that this was happening. And I think this was all an effort to besmirch a franchise that has always been just a little better than everybody else at doing what any professional athlete or athletic organization does-- push the boundaries.
I think if you are a sore enough loser, you could find some irrelevant technicality that your opponent exploits, and paint them as a cheater. But what Belichick did was brilliant. And what Brady allegedly did was irrelevant.
I think the biggest questions concerning Brady's phone, which don't seem to be being addressed or discussed, are:
Was he obliged to turn his phone over to the league's representative in the investigation?
What is this "obligation" based on?
If he had no obligation, then not turning it over is not relevant or evidential.
Was he obliged to turn his phone over to the league's representative in the investigation?
What is this "obligation" based on?
If he had no obligation, then not turning it over is not relevant or evidential.
The cheating scandal conveniently allows the NFL to divert attention from scientific evidence that's far more troubling than any analysis of deflated air pressure in footballs, i.e., the havoc the game seems to play on the human brain. Look no further than the Seau family's attempts to be heard on this more important subject. Goodell, Kraft, Brady, Bellichick and the various Cheatriots all deserve each other. But young athletes are more deserving of the truth about brain injuries that the NFL seems intent on obscuring.
Belicheat and Tom Shady. Talk about two people who belong together.
On the official Tom Brady facebook today, Brady says, "I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either." That statement has been disproved. The balls were examined and found to be within the realm of legal inflation, they were moved, taken to the bathroom, and brought to the field, where they were discovered to be underinflated. Somebody did something, Tom. Fans collectively and vehemently proclaim that the Patriots would've won regardless of the inflation of the ball. Oh really? Then deflating them confers no advantage? Then why do it? In my personal stats, the Patriots are stripped of the win. I don't care what the trophy says. I don't care what Tom says. I don't care what every Patriot fan I know says. He cheated. He forfeits the game. Lance Armstrong redux.
1
I may not have a true understanding of laws regarding cell phone usage, so what I am about to write may be totally wrong. Let's stipulate that I am a Hoosier and have little sympathy for Brady. Still... does Brady's ultimate employer, the NFL, have the right to confiscate his cell phone, and for that matter, anybody he sent text messages to? That worries me. I could see that if Brady was the target of a criminal investigation where agencies of the law would have that right, but his employer, unless the employer was providing for and paying for the cell phone? If Brady was paying for the phone, what right would his employer have to nose into his business? That brings to mind a whole series of other questions.
The coach once got caught cheating the QB has now been caught cheating, and today the ower gave a remarkably unconvincing "defense." All three should have had the courage to admit the wrong, and move on. The Pats have become an example of everyhting that is wrong with pro sports.
2
If the NFL was concerned about a standard ball pressure, the teams would not have possession of the balls during the game (even if only in play-off/championship games.) Where's Claude Raines when you need him?
2
Deflategate is Goodell's best PR coup ever. What better way to keep the NFL buzz going between seasons during the summer doldrums? Whoever at NFL HQ decided to pursue Deflategate is an evil genius.
But, ya know? Why should we care about a game celebrated for destroying minds and bodies?
But, ya know? Why should we care about a game celebrated for destroying minds and bodies?
Of course, now everybody wins. NFL acts tough, Brady goes to federal court, gets a stay on the suspension, and plays Week 1. NFL shows its tough, Brady gets to play. Cheers all around!
Brady long ago refused to turn over anything on the cellphone, and has been excoriated it for it by Wells and others. Make of it what you will -- what he subsequently did with the cellphone he refused to turn over doesn't matter one bit, So, could everyone please think? Instead of swallowing the bait put out by the NFL like a bunch of mindless mullets.
3
In our culture there is no greater achievement than becoming a sports hero. That's why football coaches are the highest paid employees at so many major universities. Sports heroes are allowed more leeway and more indiscretions than almost everyone. Look at A-Rod. Look at the anger when Joe Paterno was even mentioned as being associated with the Penn State scandal. Brady will come out of this with no issues whatsoever. Very few things in this country are as important as football, not the changing climate, not mass shootings, not racial tension, not political mischief.
1
Obviously, I am a Seahawks devotee but...It is impossible to believe that Tom Brady was not involved in deflategate. Every quarterback has a deep relationship with his footballs as noted in this article. He specifies how he likes them prepared. None of this could have happened without his approval if not request. At the least, he would have "noticed" that something was "wrong". As for the phone, again a lame excuse that is totally not believable. The timing is too coincidental and the destruction too over the top. He and the team deserve the sanctions. Although it is hard to believe that Goodell would get something right. BTW, the Superbowl was not won by the Patriots, it was forfeited by the Seahawks making a very wrong call. Sigh.
1
You are assuming the balls were deflated by someone and not air temperature.
1. If Brady is guilty, show us the proof.
2. Patriots won the game on an INT, whether it happened at midfield or on the 1 yard line, thats what happened. Own up to it.
1. If Brady is guilty, show us the proof.
2. Patriots won the game on an INT, whether it happened at midfield or on the 1 yard line, thats what happened. Own up to it.
2
The whole thing is comical. The NFL isn't a law enforcement agency and cannot compel anyone to turn over a cellphone, no matter what lawyer in a cheap suit representing them may demand. And while "Deflategate" harkens back euphemistically to Watergate, the comparison of Brady with Nixon (or his underling who got rid of the phone with the "Rose Mary Stretch") is preposterous. Preposterously funny, but preposterous nonetheless. These are athletes, not leaders of the free world.
The writer is only right in his conclusion. Come January, the only thing people will remember is whether dude is throwing touchdowns and marching the Pats down the field to victory. Funny how winning and scoreboard seems to erase all other ill will (see also: Yankees-ARod, Patriots-Belichick, Mariners-Cruz, ad nauseum).
The writer is only right in his conclusion. Come January, the only thing people will remember is whether dude is throwing touchdowns and marching the Pats down the field to victory. Funny how winning and scoreboard seems to erase all other ill will (see also: Yankees-ARod, Patriots-Belichick, Mariners-Cruz, ad nauseum).
Just like Lance Armstrong and all other high profile cheaters, until the very end rich sport figures that cheat to win at all cost continue to vomit lies till they have to face the music and then go public with tears in their eyes and ask for forgiveness. Pathetic. Banned for life for cheating other players from their dream to win it all is the only way to deter such behavior. Heroes they are called by the media and society. More like rich trash to me.
1
Those who defend him are as corrupt, and unethical, as he is. Just one more arrogant, wealthy, clueless, self-promoter who believes rules are for little people. The thrill is gone.
3
I wouldn't want anyone seeing my last 10,000 text messages if I were a famous football player or any famous person. It would get leaked. Can you imagine the front page fodder for the Daily News?
This is literally the dumbest story in the history of sports. We are talking about half a PSI in most cases. Does anybody actually read these reports? If the greatest QB ever wants to throw a SLIGHTLY softer ball, change the rules and let him throw what he wants to throw. Like many ignorant sports writers Powell here dismisses the proven science once again. ANY intelligent reader can read both the Wells report and the Patriots response "The wells report in context" (not to mention several independent academic institutions-Hopkins, MIT etc) and conclude that it is an absolute scientific reality that gas pressure is a function of heat. The fact that the press has chosen to ignore the real basic physical properties of the material world to make a good story is something out of North Korea. Each time I read "I shoulda paid more attention in high school physics :)" I want to respond, "Yes, you should have. And before you write in this great public record you should do the basic simple research that all 16 yr olds are able to comprehend with a week or two of decent instruction." Fail sports writers everywhere. Just a reminder that if we decided to dismiss science from the argument, you'll all be speaking Japanese and working in a sulfur mine right now.
2
so the suspension is upheld by the same body that suspended him in the first place? Sounds like a fair process to me. And a 4 game suspension for an act that if caught during the regular season results in a 25k fine? And further monetary penalties and lost draft picks to the organization? The penalties would have been less if he simply beat his wife.
If Brady can get into an actual court of law, the 4 game suspension will be overturned on actual scientific evidence, as outlined in the Hasset Report.
The Wells report is deeply flawed.
If that occurs, the $1,000,000 fine and draft picks "punishments" will be negated, and hopefully, in a few months, RG "retires".
He is bad for the game. Could have settled all of this face to face with Brady in a matter of minutes. But he just does not have that skill set. All the drama points to what happens when the guy in charge does not have the confidence of the those he is entrusted to lead. Owners and players.
The Wells report is deeply flawed.
If that occurs, the $1,000,000 fine and draft picks "punishments" will be negated, and hopefully, in a few months, RG "retires".
He is bad for the game. Could have settled all of this face to face with Brady in a matter of minutes. But he just does not have that skill set. All the drama points to what happens when the guy in charge does not have the confidence of the those he is entrusted to lead. Owners and players.
45- 7! What an edge that deflation delivered!
3
Although Mr. Brady has bungled his defense and his attempts at tampering with the footballs, the fact is that his team scored the majority of their points in that game after the other team (the Colts) complained to officials. Whatever tampering occurred, it did not influence the score. It may have been a blemish on the integrity of the game, but the Commissioner is guilty of that himself, given how he has bungled his attempts at managing the discipline aspects of league affairs. Since discipline is taking more of the Commissioners time recently, perhaps establishing a committee for discipline would avoid this mishmash of wildly vacillating attempts at equating game suspensions with various player transgressions.
2
PRO SPORTS STARS are a law unto themselves. Their breathtaking sense of entitlement and mad competitive attitudes, which would make the killing machines on the battlefield, show the vicious, violent side of human nature. Too bad Tom Brady isn't Nixon with secret tapes being recorded in the Oval Office. But really, who cares? He sure doesn't. His sense of fairness is the idea, I Win, You Lose. A good example for youth? For what? Ah yes--a good example for so-called free market capitalism.
Tom Brady is beginning to sound like Pete Rose.
4
The integrity of the game is on the line. Brady is rightfully being punished. He should shut up and take it like a man. Stop whining like a spoiled princess.
When kids play sports there is always a sense of fair play. Playground basketball is a great example. Players call their own fouls...and they do. Mix in adults and you end up with Deflategate.
Oh, to be a kid again.
When kids play sports there is always a sense of fair play. Playground basketball is a great example. Players call their own fouls...and they do. Mix in adults and you end up with Deflategate.
Oh, to be a kid again.
1
There are two parties to every text message. Brady's phone may have been destroyed, but what about the Deflator's?
Brady must still worry that the person who he handed off the cell phone might have copies its contents first. In the NFL nothing is beyond such sleaze. But wait, Mx. Hillary will be surprised when a hacker of her private server does a Sownden on her. Must keep her up at night. More fun to come.
If deflating the footballs a bit in cold weather makes for better offense, I would think the NFL would consider lowering the minimum air pressure. Nothing more boring than watching a freezing cold game where nobody can catch a ball.
1
Even if Brady and his cohort deflated the ball, the offense is comparable to offensive pass interference. (That's "cheating" too, right?) The NFL has real problems (brain injuries and domestic violence, for instance). This is not one of them. If anything, it makes the game more interesting. The NFL should have avoided a lengthy and expensive investigation, which had the affect of creating a moral question out of a trivial act. Now, the Times and other media are further sensationalizing it with these editorials. Other quarterbacks and players have admitted doing similar acts. (During the 49'ers glory days Jerry Rice used stickum and lineman used silicone- cool!) It's actually not a big deal. I'd give the Pats a 10-yard penalty enforceable on the opening kick-off in 2015 ... and then I'd move on.
1
After reading the Wells report it is impossible to continue to believe the fantasy that Brady and and the Patriots are victims. How anyone can think otherwise really makes me fear a jury of my peers.
1
If I remember correctly (thanks to googling) nothing much happened to Rose Mary Woods and that was egregious act if ever there was one. Second: I am assuming your column was an attempt at humor. When I was reading I got the impression you were of the same button down type as the modern day NFL execs. Frankly You made me sad and missing the old style reporters who at least had perspective. All you have is vocabulary.
I just read Tom's Facebook post explaining the phone. Apparently his Samsung broke and he bought an Apple iphone 6. The name dropping and the fact that many people can identify with a broken phone versus a destroyed phone, play to his fan base. It's a cute way to get in good graces with the Monday morning quarterbacks, the idea probably hatched and written by his well paid lawyers. Note: The contents of his phone were in question weeks before its disappearance. He knew it was important. An innocent person would not have destroyed it. Someone who wanted to uphold the integrity of their AFC Championship game, and therefore the Super Bowl, would have wanted the innocent truth discovered and revealed the text messages.
3
Not for nothing, but in my law practice and observations at trials, what has been publicly revealed so far doesn't come close to the standards of proof required for conviction by a criminal or civil trial, where substantial amounts of money are at risk. Not to mention a reputation. Meanwhile his fellow NFL players are snickering at what is apparently a common occurrence in professional sports- minor deviations from the rules to gain an edge. Does anyone really believe that if the alleged infraction hadn't taken place, the Patriots would have lost the game? Give me a break.
4
It's all about the obstruction and cover up.
Imagine that instead of blanket denials, Brady had come out initially and said. "I let the equipment guys know I like the footballs a little soft, and I expected my footballs on the soft side. I never asked them to break league rules and deflate balls more than is allowed by the rules.": The whole issue would have immediately "deflated". No big investigation, probably no suspension.
Instead, the circumstantial evidence makes Brady look guilty.
Imagine that instead of blanket denials, Brady had come out initially and said. "I let the equipment guys know I like the footballs a little soft, and I expected my footballs on the soft side. I never asked them to break league rules and deflate balls more than is allowed by the rules.": The whole issue would have immediately "deflated". No big investigation, probably no suspension.
Instead, the circumstantial evidence makes Brady look guilty.
3
Yes Brady needs to be banned, but let's keep our eyes on the ball: the game kills people slowly via repeated impacts to the head, and therefore the entire endeavor needs to be outlawed. When I think of the hundreds of thousands of young kids out there, all clanging there heads together in junior football and in school, in the face of inarguable evidence about what will happen to many of them, I weep for our future. Stupidity, greed and cheating all seem to be on the rise.
Another Lance Armstrong - an arrogant, accomplished liar, above the rules. I loved bicycling, I loved football, because of Lance and Tom. Now I can't watch either sport. Sportsmanship is dead.
2
Take the money out of politics .. er Sports .. er everything
1
May I remind everyone this is over deflated balls, the same balls the other team used as well. If Brady gained an advantage, then why wouldn't Andrew Luck and the Colts also receive the same advantage? Finally, how much does deflating a ball actually improve the overall teams performance? This is a waste of time and resources in my humble opinion. We have much greater issues to focus our attention on than deflated game balls in the NFL.
Each team has its own balls on that you are incorrect.
They aren't the same balls the other team uses. Each offense provides its own balls. Brady got caught because he was intercepted.
Each team has its own supply of balls. So they were not the same balls used by the Colts in that game. Talking about advantage, effect on performance, etc. is well beside the point. We are talking about integrity, honesty, rules, sportsmanship, cheating or playing it straight. Alex Rodriquez' current power at the bat with the NY Yankees is evidence that steroids don't necessarily make a player 'better'. It is just that taking those drugs is unethical and against the rules and is a terrible health risk for youngsters who will use such 'performance enhancements'.
Tom got bored beating one NFL team at a time, he decided to take on the whole NFL at once... Go Tom!
It looks very likely that Brady is lying. Instead of joining in his defense, the Patriots should take the moral high ground and help purge the unethical behavior from within their team and also from NFL.
1
It looks like it, so hes guilty? I think you look guilty of espionage... are you guilty? Is that how youd like our justice system to work?
this is not the justice system we are talking about.
How completely American!
I will say it again: The rule is a stupid rule and like most stupid rules it is violated often. There is no reason that all quarterbacks should not be able, within reason, to have the balls inflated to their specifications. An example: baseball bats are of different lengths and weight depending on the strength and size of the batter. These kind of stupid rules are devised and enforced by anal types who are just plain nuts.
How do you know that " it is violated often". Following your logic--why not have each QB decide on the size and weight of ball. Perhaps the punter would have a different size ball that the field goal kicker. I believe that teams can select the type of shoe to be used according to the condition of the field. The field goal kicker could use a shoe with a wooden block at the toe.
After determining that his cell phone needed to disappear, Brady’s ideal gas law was formulated, dubbed “Brady’s hot air law”:
pV = mRT
where
p is air pressure in footballs
V is volume of misleading statements that can be squeezed into footballs
m is the number of mutations that have occurred in Brady’s explanation of what happened
R is the universal hot air constant (quantifying the multiplier proportional to the quantity of prevarications released from Brady’s mouth and fingertips since the A.F.C. championship game)
T is the time, in milleseconds, that the general public needs to fully understand that the convoluted statements made by Brady on the topic have been canards
pV = mRT
where
p is air pressure in footballs
V is volume of misleading statements that can be squeezed into footballs
m is the number of mutations that have occurred in Brady’s explanation of what happened
R is the universal hot air constant (quantifying the multiplier proportional to the quantity of prevarications released from Brady’s mouth and fingertips since the A.F.C. championship game)
T is the time, in milleseconds, that the general public needs to fully understand that the convoluted statements made by Brady on the topic have been canards
2
Quick question to all those ready to hang Brady: if you were accused of non-criminal wrongdoing at your place of employment and your employer demanded that you hand over your personal cell, you'd be OK with that, right?
3
"Destroying the cell phone" is a commonly used term for 'losing weight'. I always say I'm going to "destroy my cell phone this summer" when what I actually mean is that I'm going to lose weight so I can look good on the beach.
The other day, for example, I said to my friend, 'dude, have you been destroying your cell phone?' And he was like, 'yeh, I found this new way to destroy my cell phone by avoiding carbs.'
So, when Tom said to the trainer, 'hey, can you destroy my cell phone?' he was asking the trainer to help him lose weight; but the trainer took it too literally. If Tom had said, on the other hand, 'can you deflate these for me' then the trainer probably would have know that Tom was asking for help with a weight loss regimen.
The other day, for example, I said to my friend, 'dude, have you been destroying your cell phone?' And he was like, 'yeh, I found this new way to destroy my cell phone by avoiding carbs.'
So, when Tom said to the trainer, 'hey, can you destroy my cell phone?' he was asking the trainer to help him lose weight; but the trainer took it too literally. If Tom had said, on the other hand, 'can you deflate these for me' then the trainer probably would have know that Tom was asking for help with a weight loss regimen.
2
Is that rumor true? You know, the one about the Patriots and Tom Brady? A new team slogan - "If you can't beat 'em, deflate their balls!."
I am a Patriots fan and always have been for as long as I can remember. The only problem I have pertains to the league's opinion on what is deemed a "fair" and "suitable" punishment. 4 games to me seems like an odd punishment for cheating. If he cheated the game, in my opinion you either ban him or you reinstate him due to lack of evidence to support the allegations. A 4-game suspension only serves as a slap on the wrist for violating the integrity of the game, one in which he'll learn his lesson, and then return to the field to continue making money for the Patriots organization and for the rest of the league. It's always been about maximizing revenue, and in my opinion, that's the only reason why he didn't receive a lifetime ban. Why else would Goodell allow players like Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, two players who are considered to be "franchise players" to be reinstated despite heinous allegations of domestic abuse? Why would Goodell reduce the 10-game ban on Cowboys linebacker Greg Hardy to 4 games, the same amount as Brady?
2
Who cares? This is American Football!
1
People hate a winner.
Based on your comment, you, indeed, are "aging not so gracefully."
1
Most people tend to dislike cheaters.
1
Give it time, Lance Armstrong denied for years that he was doped during the Tour de France; when Brady retires, his memoirs will be No.1 Week 1 & all the speculation will be laid to rest years after feathering his nest with the residuals of your minimum wage salaries.
1
Brady is Armstrong.
1
Does the NFL pay taxes yet? Still a nonprofit? Really? and they cheat and bet? boy, I am doing life all wrong…..
1
I am 99.9% sure that Brady had his cell phone destroyed because a review of his text messages would have shown that he either participated in or knew about the deflating of footballs; however, could it be that these text messages said nothing about deflating footballs, but instead indicated that Brady was engaging in other activities that were either highly embarrassing or detrimental to his pristine image? After all, good-looking, rich, star athletes sometimes do things that are really despicable; if you find this far-fetched just recall the Ray Rice incident.
It's amazing that you are 99.9% sure of something about which you have zero evidence. Comments like these are telling of the fact that sports loyalties tend to obscure reasonable judgments and rational thinking.
3
It's amazing that you could write that I have "zero evidence"; after all, he did destroy the cell phone, and any rational individual would conclude that the most likely reason was that it contained incriminating evidence.
It's way past time to revoke the NFL's 501(c)6 tax-exempt status. This is an insult to all taxpayers. The NFL is quickly moving into the same realm as the IOC, USOC and FIFA. They should be paying.
2
If Tom Brady was a class act he would accept the punishment and be done with it. But denying only fuels the possibility of his guilt and tarnishes his image. I mean, having an underling destroy his cell phone. How many of us do that with our cell phones. He knew and was complicit with this event. Even if he did not personally carry out the deed. The courts may say otherwise but drop it Tom and it will be forgotten soon and you will be a winner once again.
1
Tom is probably having lunch with Lance Armstrong complaining about how the world is out to get him.
1
Many people are missing the issue. Ted Wells did not want to take Brady's cell phone. All he wanted was a transcription of the relevant information from the cell phone and Wells wanted Brady to put that information together and present it to Wells. Instead, Brady destroyed his cell phone even though he did not destroy his prior one. I don't think you need to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.
5
Tom, next time destroy your own cell phone. Please don't have some $35-$40,000 a year guy do it for you. If you are going to cover up, do it real good. You know the Patriots have a history of cheating and Goodell was coming after you. He had too; it was the AFC title game that you pulled this on. Since I know this will not happen again, make sure in the future that you take care of matters like "destroying your cell phone" yourself. Take the 4 game suspension and stop the charade. It makes you look bad when everybody know you cheated. Man up! Don;t be a cry baby. . . you cheated and got caught.
4
One question - how does the NFL know there were 10,000 text messages?
3
AT&T and or Verizon knows exactly who you have called and how many messages you have sent. They may not know the content of the messages but they know how many has been sent from your number. I thought everybody knew that.
1
What's the big deal about the destruction of Brady's cellphone? The NFL has the cellphones of his accused co-conspirators and those cellphones would show any Brady messages.
Tom Brady is a superstar quarterback married to a super model and it's very hard for them to have any privacy.
I don't blame him for destroying his cell in the midst of this.
I'm not a Pat's fan and I would have welcomed Brady being quickly suspended after the Ravens game but the wheels of justice move slowly.
Tom Brady is a superstar quarterback married to a super model and it's very hard for them to have any privacy.
I don't blame him for destroying his cell in the midst of this.
I'm not a Pat's fan and I would have welcomed Brady being quickly suspended after the Ravens game but the wheels of justice move slowly.
11
You all miss the point about deflate-gate. Who cares about 'cheating' in a football game? If a person who has no 'skin' in the game, he or she could care less about the outcome, except for a normal fan who roots for the team.
The only people who want the games to be squeaky clean are the people in the gambling industry and the bettors who fill their coffers, and who would not bet otherwise.
The only people who want the games to be squeaky clean are the people in the gambling industry and the bettors who fill their coffers, and who would not bet otherwise.
why would destroying your cell phone have anything to do with privacy? Changing your phone number, yes. Destroying your phone? LOL. Come on.
1
What if there were others he texted about it?
Were he a Black running back who just was videoed beating his girlfriend
non of you liberals would care.
non of you liberals would care.
1
Why don't people get this: violent behaviour is a police matter in which the NFL involves itself in a secondary way, only. Altering a football is an NFL matter.
Why does powell assume that Brady's phone had evidence that would prove "conclusive?" That's simply powell's own jumping to a conclusion. Who says his phone had anything on it that would have proved anything one way or the other?
1
If this really goes to federal court, then it would appear that Brady destroyed evidence, and the most appropriate outcome would be that he is incarcerated for that.
This really is the text book definition of a smear campaign..
this phone thing isnt a bombshell..The NFL and Brady knew about it all along.
The NFL decided to drop that information now..why exactly? to try to sway public opinion. Read Bradys statement..he told them up front they werent getting his phone..they knew this..after that whatever he did with it is irrelevant.
he also provided them with every contact ever phone number and email in a document certified by his cell provider. If the NFL wanted to do the leg work they could have gone and asked for all of the cells phones they wanted from whoever Brady communicated with.
this has been some sort of sting operation from the begining..from the NFL letting a game be played when they thought the balls may be "off" to completely wrong information never retracted by the league office (the initial Craig Mortensen report which was completely wrong) to complete dismissal of scientific evidence...it will be interesting someday for a true objective journalist to dig into the NFL offices and find out the true motivation for all this..when the infraction we are discussing had no official rules until this week and the rules that were on the books for such an infraction was $25,000\and could have been wrapped up in 1 week. like any other team accused of this in the past has
you have to take you blind hatred and jealousy about the Patriots out of this and ask why the NFL has truly made such a MOUNTAIN out of a mole hill
this phone thing isnt a bombshell..The NFL and Brady knew about it all along.
The NFL decided to drop that information now..why exactly? to try to sway public opinion. Read Bradys statement..he told them up front they werent getting his phone..they knew this..after that whatever he did with it is irrelevant.
he also provided them with every contact ever phone number and email in a document certified by his cell provider. If the NFL wanted to do the leg work they could have gone and asked for all of the cells phones they wanted from whoever Brady communicated with.
this has been some sort of sting operation from the begining..from the NFL letting a game be played when they thought the balls may be "off" to completely wrong information never retracted by the league office (the initial Craig Mortensen report which was completely wrong) to complete dismissal of scientific evidence...it will be interesting someday for a true objective journalist to dig into the NFL offices and find out the true motivation for all this..when the infraction we are discussing had no official rules until this week and the rules that were on the books for such an infraction was $25,000\and could have been wrapped up in 1 week. like any other team accused of this in the past has
you have to take you blind hatred and jealousy about the Patriots out of this and ask why the NFL has truly made such a MOUNTAIN out of a mole hill
5
Innuendo and indirect possibilities are hardly the stuff that should enable a league to suspend a star player (or any player, for that matter). Imagine if an employer could scuttle an employee's career because there was a suspicion that he or she stole office supplies. Goodell has made an example of the No. 1 star player in the league in order to strike fear into the others. More importantly, football fans (like I) have to re-assess if the sport has organized itself around an autocracy in order to sell more of its product lines.
And now he's taking it to Federal court! This guy is worse than Roger Clemens. Just man up if you can, admit it, apologize, and get back to football.
6
One, Tom Brady is a professional. Two, there wasn't just one football that was under-inflated, there were several. Three, Tom Brady was very particular about how his footballs were prepared. Fourth, he had his cell phone along with thousands of messages destroyed.
How could he not know that the footballs he was using were under-inflated?
How could he not know that the footballs he was using were under-inflated?
4
What gives the NFL the right to troll through Brady's entire text history?? There could be all kinds of reasons Tom didn't want the NFL poking around, e.g., snide but not really serious comments about competitors, flirty but meaningless exchanges with his wife or others , .... it's easy to think of others. The NFL has no right to that. It's private!
5
Ben Franklin: "Three can keep a secret if two are dead."
Shoulda DIY Brady lol
Shoulda DIY Brady lol
2
"pay the three dollars"
Tom took his direction from Ms. Hillary. Hey if you destroy the server things will be okay. So, let us suspend Mr. Hillary for four election cycles. Only fair.
2
While all these things people are saying about Brady may have some truth component, I would think that the NFL bears some responsibility. In their report on this, they realized that they had lost track of the footballs before the start of the game. How hard would it have been to re-check the footballs?
What about Belichick's phone?
1
I wouldn't share my phone with Goodell and the NFL either. Think of all the photos one keeps on a phone, and think of his wife and kids, and all the prurient opportunistic people out there that would love to get a peek.
Then think of the third-party science reports that have debunked or brought into question the conclusion that the balls were intentionally deflated or under inflated:
The American Enterprise Institute here: http://www.aei.org/publication/deflating-deflategate/
NY Times here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/sports/football/deflation-experiments-...
Then, think of the actual game from which all this controversy has emerged: the final score was 45-7. At the half it had been 17-7, at which point the officials measured the ball pressures, and detected that some were under-inflated. So all under-inflated balls were then re-inflated bringing all Patriot balls into compliance with the rules. The Patriots then went on to score 28 unanswered points in the second half. Clearly the under-inflated balls in the first half provided no advantage to the Patriots: indeed, if any advantage can be determined from the scoring it was the Colts who gained an advantage with under inflated balls.
Then think of the third-party science reports that have debunked or brought into question the conclusion that the balls were intentionally deflated or under inflated:
The American Enterprise Institute here: http://www.aei.org/publication/deflating-deflategate/
NY Times here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/sports/football/deflation-experiments-...
Then, think of the actual game from which all this controversy has emerged: the final score was 45-7. At the half it had been 17-7, at which point the officials measured the ball pressures, and detected that some were under-inflated. So all under-inflated balls were then re-inflated bringing all Patriot balls into compliance with the rules. The Patriots then went on to score 28 unanswered points in the second half. Clearly the under-inflated balls in the first half provided no advantage to the Patriots: indeed, if any advantage can be determined from the scoring it was the Colts who gained an advantage with under inflated balls.
4
Brady's phone, and what might or might not be on it, is irrelevant because the league never proved the footballs were tampered with. They couldn't prove that because until this week there was no procedure for making that determination. All of this vitriol aimed at Brady, and indirectly Belichik, is based on personal resentment, not factual evidence of any wrongdoing. And sadly, Tom Brady is suspended for the same number of games as
Greg Hardy, who beat a woman senseless. Way to go NFL!
Greg Hardy, who beat a woman senseless. Way to go NFL!
4
What if Mr. Brady's cell phone contained exculpatory evidence rather than inculpatory evidence? For example, suppose the phone showed Mr. Brady responding to a text from a Patriot employee by saying "are you crazy, you can't deflate the footballs; that's against the rules!" Does anyone believe he would have had the phone destroyed if that were the case?
2
Back in March, the Times published an article with the headline "Banks as Felons", which revealed conversations and texts between bankers and traders involved in rigging exchange markets. One of the quotes has stuck with me as the justification of how people rationalize their actions in order to keep up these days..."If you ain't cheatin'...you ain't tryin...
1
The parallel between Brady's and Clinton's "scandals" is pretty striking. A large audience is claiming that X's unusual past behavior has crossed a tipping point -- by dint of prolonged public debate about X's character -- and now become a full-fledged case of wrongdoing. Even vindication in a court of law would would fail to resolve the matter.
Both stories still, at their cores, are celebrity gossip, and a social media popularity contest. The actual news stories have long since been completely dealt with, and have virtually no news value.
Both stories still, at their cores, are celebrity gossip, and a social media popularity contest. The actual news stories have long since been completely dealt with, and have virtually no news value.
1
Why should the nation's most recognizable athlete who is married to the world's most recognizable supermodel be at all concerned about turning over 10,000 private text conversations over to an organization with a proven track record competence and forthrightness in legal and law enforcement matters?
Here's what Mr. Powell never addresses: the rule in question is one that the League has loosened to the point of being meaningless as teams are allowed to prepare footballs in ways that affect play far more than whether a ball is off by .5 PSI at any given time. As it stands, to use your example of baseball, it would be like allowing Gaylord Perry access to baseballs before the game, allow him to rub the balls up with dirt to take the slickness off them, and then to rub them with pine tar to improve their grip.
As for general concerns about "fair play," it would be a great deal easier to hear that and keep a straight face if we were not dealing with a League that turned a blind eye to performance enhancing drugs for decades, that fails to address the use of human growth hormone, or that values the safety of their employees on the field or when they retire.
The Patriots are being punished because several very powerful owners insist that they only reason they keep losing to the Patriots must be because the Patriots are cheating. It couldn't possibly be that some of these owners continue to employee coaches and players who are not quite as good at football.
Here's what Mr. Powell never addresses: the rule in question is one that the League has loosened to the point of being meaningless as teams are allowed to prepare footballs in ways that affect play far more than whether a ball is off by .5 PSI at any given time. As it stands, to use your example of baseball, it would be like allowing Gaylord Perry access to baseballs before the game, allow him to rub the balls up with dirt to take the slickness off them, and then to rub them with pine tar to improve their grip.
As for general concerns about "fair play," it would be a great deal easier to hear that and keep a straight face if we were not dealing with a League that turned a blind eye to performance enhancing drugs for decades, that fails to address the use of human growth hormone, or that values the safety of their employees on the field or when they retire.
The Patriots are being punished because several very powerful owners insist that they only reason they keep losing to the Patriots must be because the Patriots are cheating. It couldn't possibly be that some of these owners continue to employee coaches and players who are not quite as good at football.
1
A crook is a crook, whether she destroys the e-mails on her personal server, or he destroys his cell phone and its contents. Face it Boston, your guy cheated and then lied about it. As did his coach.
2
There are only two possible reasons that whomever deflated the footballs. He either knew that's the way Brady wanted them or he was sabotaging the game by deflating the balls, if Tom is as honest as he would have us believe, to an unfamiliar condition to his star quarterback.
Mr. Powell; If you want the NFL to hang themselves and discredit their findings and that of the public perception, do you: a. Seek exoneration or a settlement behind the solid gold doors of the NFL which deniers players their Constitutional rights to their just compensation for fair market value for their work as well as their image and associated marketing? b. Remove the NFL's stranglehold on the league's players and personnel's public image, not to mention their wallets?
It is only my opinion that i think Brady is playing for the biggest win of his life on this gambit to go with who knows how many Superbowl rings by the time he retires.
I am simply suggesting that you look at this from the perspective of not how foolish and arrogant Tom Brady is, but how smart he may be in doing what he is doing.
It is only my opinion that i think Brady is playing for the biggest win of his life on this gambit to go with who knows how many Superbowl rings by the time he retires.
I am simply suggesting that you look at this from the perspective of not how foolish and arrogant Tom Brady is, but how smart he may be in doing what he is doing.
Had Brady pulled a "Lindsay" and destroyed his phone in a blender in a full blown video posted on social media and full cable TV coverage, this would be another story. Tom's slipping.
Patriots owner, Kraft, just made a tv appearance, which makes Brady look like an amateur in unprofessional conduct. He ranted about disrespecting "this fine young man" and then disrespected the NFL world- casting aspersions frequently against "lawyers", despite his claim they not involved.
This classless guy has got to go. The Patriots, under his leadership, have been caught repeatedly in serious infractions of the rules. Time to take him out Roger, before he gets you.
This classless guy has got to go. The Patriots, under his leadership, have been caught repeatedly in serious infractions of the rules. Time to take him out Roger, before he gets you.
2
People can read a few news stories and conclude the guilt of someone? That's an exceptional talent.
Why don't they solve murders and other mysteries instead of spending time on sports?
Seems they are not only wasting their talents, but defrauding the American people of their spectacular ability to know things from doing nothing but reading the intertubes...
Why don't they solve murders and other mysteries instead of spending time on sports?
Seems they are not only wasting their talents, but defrauding the American people of their spectacular ability to know things from doing nothing but reading the intertubes...
1
Tom Brady being compared to Richard Nixon, no, but, think Tiger Woods after his debacle.
1
Whatever, the reality or truth of the deflated balls, the actions of Brady are those of a guilty party in defiance of an authority he willingly entered into a formal contract with.
The hypocritical position of the Patriot management to insist on "proof" while their key man destroys evidence is absurd, and also defiant and obstructive.
My admiration of Brady has evaporated. He appears to be a defiant, conscious, cheater. I wonder how many years this and other kinds of cheating has been going on, as I don't believe that after the wonderful record built over the years that suddenly in 2015 he decided to cheat.
Brady appears that he is no more qualified for the football HOF than Pete Rose is for the baseball HOF. Sad.
The hypocritical position of the Patriot management to insist on "proof" while their key man destroys evidence is absurd, and also defiant and obstructive.
My admiration of Brady has evaporated. He appears to be a defiant, conscious, cheater. I wonder how many years this and other kinds of cheating has been going on, as I don't believe that after the wonderful record built over the years that suddenly in 2015 he decided to cheat.
Brady appears that he is no more qualified for the football HOF than Pete Rose is for the baseball HOF. Sad.
3
Maybe he should run for public office. He seems to have all the right qualifications.
How nice it would have been if Seattle hadn't thrown the ball on their last play. This four weeks would taste so much better.
Why blame Brady alone. This looks like a team effort.
For the coming season, what will they think of next? Spray something on the grass to make it slippary?
For the coming season, what will they think of next? Spray something on the grass to make it slippary?
1
I still believe fair punishment is that all Patriots opponents this year get to inflate their footballs to whatever pressure they want (excepting kicking balls, which were not involved).
If there's an advantage to be gained, let the Patriots opponents have it this year and see what happens.
If there's an advantage to be gained, let the Patriots opponents have it this year and see what happens.
1
This story has been pathetically over-inflated and then cynically and hypocritically commoditized by reputable and disreputable news organizations. No quantifiable competitive advantage is involved. Meanwhile, the NY Times and ESPN trumpet and sell the accomplishments of proven cheaters like Alex Rodriguez.
2
A comment I have seen many times: A first world problem.
The repetitive and excessive coverage of Tom Brady and the deflated footballs could well be labeled inflate-gate.
1
The Yankees score 21 runs last night, including 11 in one inning, and all we get on the Times home page is 3 teasers on an old scandal in a sport that is out of season? Come on, NYT!!
1
Folks, the NFL never wanted his phone. They only asked for records - which Brady provided.
I understand people have already come to their conclusions after reading the internet, but try to regurgitate the information correctly.
I understand people have already come to their conclusions after reading the internet, but try to regurgitate the information correctly.
2
If Brady had sucker punched his wife he would have only been suspended for 2 games, 4 is hard to justify.
1
"And that does not include the billions of dollars wagered on every game"
This is a huge overstatement. The 2014 Super Bowl, by far the most bet game, had a handle of 119.4 MIllion $ at Nevada Casinos. Get your facts straight.
This is a huge overstatement. The 2014 Super Bowl, by far the most bet game, had a handle of 119.4 MIllion $ at Nevada Casinos. Get your facts straight.
Brady, Kraft and Patriot fans at large show themselves for the classless act they are.
2
This is a public lynching, pure and simple, and based on incomplete information. I would suggest that the Brady and Pats haters, who have formed their opinions without the facts would do well to read this report which was not even referred to in the article: https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/On-the-Wells-report.pdf
4
Brady should have been suspended for 8 games. He's getting off lucky with only 4, and is unlikely to go to court, let alone win in court.
2
The Patriots have had problems for years. Brady got caught and now the bleating sheep are crying foul. Can't wait for the Patriots-Colts game in Indianapolis in October. May my fellow Hoosiers let this crook know what they think about him.
1
now he is saying his cell phone was broken. broken the day he was scheduled to speak with the NFL's investigator . . . . Apparently Brady thinks the public are clueless chumps . . . .
2
To me, the readers' comments here about Bradyflate are more captivating -- more revelatory -- than the Brady story, itself. It's the wide chasm that separates those of us who acknowledge the overwhelming evidence of Brady's guilt, from those others who support the disgraced quarterback unconditionally -- dismissing the truth as unproven, shifting the blame to the NFL, and pitying their hero as one who has been abused by the powers that be.
On one side, clearheaded objective understanding of the facts. On the other, denial and blind faith.
Once again, psychologists surely must be having a field day with this so typical, so common, of human behavioral phenomena.
On one side, clearheaded objective understanding of the facts. On the other, denial and blind faith.
Once again, psychologists surely must be having a field day with this so typical, so common, of human behavioral phenomena.
4
He's a member of the players union and under NO obligation to submit his phone to the investigator's review and clearly indicated that he took that stance openly. Goodell is now punishing him for not handing over the phone and text messages, which he and his attorneys, during the initial investigation, made clear they would not share. So, absent any subpoena power, Brady answered all the questions he was asked and the verdict was 'more likely than not aware'. That's quite an interesting standard for punishment - but even better - Goodell is punishing him for something that wasn't part of the original charges. Any wonder why the players have a union?
4
When a person destroys evidence, the law deems that to be spoliation. The inference is that the evidence would damage the destroyer. Why are people still believing Brady is innocent. Why did someone like Brady have long conversations with one of the equipment managers the morning after the game? For those who do not have the benefit of having been to law school, watch "Law and Order".
4
I am pretty sure that it's common practice for celebrities (and Tom and his wife Gisele are not just some minor celebrities) to ask assistants to destroy old electronic devices that are no longer in use. When you are stalked by paparazzi and images of you and your family sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, I think you would be pretty careful to safeguard your private communications stored on electronic media.
In this specific case, since the NFLPA agreement with the NFL meant that he did not have to turn over his phone, I am struggling to find why this is so incriminating.
"Brady was not obliged under league rules to provide the phone." - Today's NY Times
In this specific case, since the NFLPA agreement with the NFL meant that he did not have to turn over his phone, I am struggling to find why this is so incriminating.
"Brady was not obliged under league rules to provide the phone." - Today's NY Times
3
Even if that were true about celebrities (1) he destroyed it the day or week of his NFL investigator interview which seems way too coincidental when he knew his communications with the assistants were at issue; (2) he still had his prior phone, which undermines any notion that this was some "regular practice" of phone destruction he has as a celebrity; (3) everyone knew at the time that this would likely end in a court battle where his cell phone could be subpoenaed -- and if he waited until then to destroy the phone he would be guilty of spoliation.
1
Is Tom Brady so stubborn that he is going to allow this to tarnish his legacy? He is one of the best of all time, but the longer he drags this out the more people will remember it.
10
For answer, see Alex Rodriguez.
It's hard to agree he is the best when he has to cheat. Remember, his boss cheated his way to several championships. His boss' cheating gave Brady an edge to winning. We'll never know if he could have won those games without advance notice of the opponents hand signals. Cheating deletes all awards.
1
Maybe he is "dragging it out" because he didn't do anything wrong. Remember that it is a proven fact that the NFL had an anti-Brady agenda: The NFL regularly and promptly refutes false reports about its own conduct. ESPN falsely reported that the Patriots' footballs were so deflated that the only possible explanation was tampering. The NFL knew that was TOTALLY false and knew that it hurt people's perception of the fairness of an NFL playoff game. What did the NFL do? Stayed silent while opinions were formed against Brady and the Patriots. Explain that one...
4
Tom, you had me as a fan until you destroyed the phone. Now I have you as a cheater. Too error is human, to cover up the error, is unforgivable.
2
Do you think Tom Brady switching from a Samsung to Apple under the stress of an investigation is believable?
It's called CHEATING, Tom Brady.
CHEATING.
CHEATING.
4
A legal question...would it have been possible to turn over the cell phone to a judge or court appointed person to review the phone's contents for relevance? If there were something relevant, have it transcribed and turned over to the Commissioner and Wells on an "eyes Only" basis.
I have been wondering the same thing. If there were sensitive business issues or correspondence with a mistress or something of that nature could not those texts simply have remained unopened by the judge? Could one of Tom Brady's attorneys have been present when the list of 10 thousand texts were reviewed? To insure that topics that were none of the NFL's busiiness did not become public knowledge? I assume that the people letting the air out of the balls were known so why not review only the texts to them? Or only the texts to members of the Patriots organization? That stuff is ALL the NFL's business because the Patriots are just another franchise in the larger organization.
2
Why is anyone surprised that "Golden Boy" would deceive and cheat? We live in hypercapitalist system where winning is celebrated to the point of celebrity to the highest position in society, see Donald Trump. Losing or even "failure" to win will not be tolerated and crushed.
Tom Brady plays a game that means billions of dollars to lots of people, the idea that the NFL is honorable is a joke. The NFL had rules in place to deal with Brady and the Patriots; they were suppose to re-play the game at a neutral site or forfeit the game. The NFL ignored their own rules and now must choose between their tarnished golden boy or what's left of the integrity of the game.
They choose the billion dollar ATM and through golden boy under the bus.
Tough luck New England, just like Yankee Land your guy got caught now deal with the emotional aftermath, but the billions just keep coming in for a machine that destroys its employees, women, and anyone else that gets in the way to the ATM.
Tom Brady plays a game that means billions of dollars to lots of people, the idea that the NFL is honorable is a joke. The NFL had rules in place to deal with Brady and the Patriots; they were suppose to re-play the game at a neutral site or forfeit the game. The NFL ignored their own rules and now must choose between their tarnished golden boy or what's left of the integrity of the game.
They choose the billion dollar ATM and through golden boy under the bus.
Tough luck New England, just like Yankee Land your guy got caught now deal with the emotional aftermath, but the billions just keep coming in for a machine that destroys its employees, women, and anyone else that gets in the way to the ATM.
2
The NSA has his texts. His mobile carrier has his texts. Since this is a matter of national (football league) security, go get the texts!
2
Did Tom Brady have his own server at his home in Chappaqua?
1
Tom Brady, if you're listening here's more advise for you: QUIT!
The game of NFL football needs players like you far more than you need them, especially now. You certainly had the right to maintain your privacy via your cellphone, etc. And now your overall integrity is being questioned over this??? A football or two that was a pound or so shy of whatever the flimsy standards were?
Joe Namath was right back in '69 to be ready to walk when his his integrity came into question and Pete Rozelle walked it back and made an agreement with Broadway Joe and his fabulous career went on. (With too many injuries and mediocre team mates...)
You're no Pete Rozelle, Commissioner Goodell.
The game of NFL football needs players like you far more than you need them, especially now. You certainly had the right to maintain your privacy via your cellphone, etc. And now your overall integrity is being questioned over this??? A football or two that was a pound or so shy of whatever the flimsy standards were?
Joe Namath was right back in '69 to be ready to walk when his his integrity came into question and Pete Rozelle walked it back and made an agreement with Broadway Joe and his fabulous career went on. (With too many injuries and mediocre team mates...)
You're no Pete Rozelle, Commissioner Goodell.
2
And people do not live and die each week-end wondering how Brady will do. If he quits, the game will go on and he will be forgotten-except for commercials or if he becomes an announcer. All fame is fleeting.
Here's what makes things look fishy. Most people have replaced their cell phones, and the process involves doing a hard reset, which then wipes everything out. If the phone supposedly does not function, but he was worried about personal info being dug out, all Brady had to do was hang on to the phone. But he knew full well this was all supposedly happening at a time when the phone was being requested by the league office, that the matter had not been dropped or concluded, and that to destroy the very item being sought would be viewed as evidence tampering. Did he pursue his legal rights in a court of law at that time, seeking a protective order and an in camera review? Did he advise the league office his phone wasn't working? Only now does he decide to go to court and raise these defenses for the first time. You may in fact be squeaky clean (really? highly doubtful), but you are guilty of bad decision making and there's a price that goes with that.
19
Riddle me this, Batman: How stupid does Brady and the Pats think people are? When they admitted that someone on their staff was nicknamed 'The Deflater', they claimed that the moniker was used because said person had lost a great deal of weight. Seriously?
1
The blueprint for handling this kind of thing was written years ago bu the original "golden boy", Paul Hornung. Found guilty of gambling ( not on football) by the Commissioner, he owned up to it and served a one year suspension (I may be wrong about the length). He never whined or complained. People quickly forgave and largely forgot it.
2
Whether or not Tom Brady was or was not deliberately and knowingly involved in the tampering of equipment for gain this whole spectacle has certainly shown his character to be, well, shall we say, somewhat lacking? He's behaved like a pampered, protected, privileged, spoiled big baby, which is what most celebrities act like (and are) when push comes to shove and the going gets a little tough. He might look a little worse than most though.
7
He learned from his boss that he is above the rules. A cheat taught by a cheat.
1
Apparently Tom Brady is supposed to be one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. Any professional who performs at that level (athlete, musician, surgeon, etc) knows EXACTLY what their instrument of choice should feel like and when it is not right. I would not be surprised if Tom Brady could tell the difference in pressure of a football within an ounce or two. I smell Lance Armstrong behavior here.
63
Then explain why every other professional NFL quarterback has not "noticed" that the psi in the footballs THEY use goes down in cold weather. Why haven't they all "noticed" and been alarmed that their instrument of choice is "off"?? The notion that people notice and care about tenths of an ounce of pressure changes in an NFL football is entirely contradicted by SCIENCE that proves that the pressure changes with temperature changes.
I could. Haven't handled a football that much, but throw me a basketball, and I don't need to bounce it to gauge its inflation level.
How long does Brady believe he can keep up this lame smokescreen? Didn't Lance Armstrong already take us down this road?
5
I'm not a Tom Brady fan. But anyone who has spent much time following this story knows that there isn't even evidence that the balls were tampered with. Brady destroying his cell phone seems like a reasonable thing to do for anyone who cares about his privacy. And I'm sure Tom Brady has plenty of private conversations that he would not going public.
The only thing that is conclusive from this "investigation" is that the NFL and Goodell are a joke.
The only thing that is conclusive from this "investigation" is that the NFL and Goodell are a joke.
11
Wells offered Brady the opportunity to provide emails/texts limited to the two key Pats staffers in the middle of this mess. He refused and destroyed the phone. Enough with the apologists giving this man a pass. He cheated. He got caught. He faces the consequences. It doesn't matter a damn if the cheating did or didn't give him a competitive edge. Brady apparently believed it did. He should shoulder his responsibility and take his lumps. Isn't that the lesson you teach your children?
Brady should take care as to how far he pushes this issue. While there are fans who'll excuse any Pats behavior, there are owners of and players on 31 other teams - and their fans - who think Shady and his team have gotten away with far too much for far too long. I'm sure they're planning some special treatment for the guy who thinks that's exactly what he's due.
Brady should take care as to how far he pushes this issue. While there are fans who'll excuse any Pats behavior, there are owners of and players on 31 other teams - and their fans - who think Shady and his team have gotten away with far too much for far too long. I'm sure they're planning some special treatment for the guy who thinks that's exactly what he's due.
1
Lucky you, Roger! To be so thoroughly informed!
I wish I'd had access to all the evidence and documentation in this case to have been able to realize the truth, as you do.....
I wish I'd had access to all the evidence and documentation in this case to have been able to realize the truth, as you do.....
1
It wasn't the Watergate break-in or the "Rose Mary Stretch" that caused the fall of Richard Nixon. We still don't know if he ordered the break-in, or even knew about it in advance.
What's certain is that EVERYONE knew he was going to massacre George McGovern in the '72 election, and had absolutely no reason to think he needed a clandestine advantage to do it. Such was the atmosphere of ends-justifying-means paranoia in the Nixon administration.
All he had to do was stand before the microphones and cameras and admit that there were overzealous aides in his camp, and they were now on their way to the unemployment office. That's all he had to do; fess up.
Instead, he stonewalled and violated his oath of office by authorizing hush money to the Watergate burglars. The rest is history.
All Tom Brady had to do was tell us he liked his footballs slightly underinflated, say he was sorry, and that would have been that for all but the most ardent Patriots' haters.
I'm know I'm comparing a silly football infraction to one of the most important political transgressions in U.S. history, but they do have the same basic thing in common: Both men should have told the truth immediately and then taken whatever minor punishment was to follow. Nixon would have remained the president who ended the Vietnam War, established the EPA and opened the door to China. Tom Brady would have remained the great quarterback who liked to bend the rules a bit, even though he didn't really have to.
What's certain is that EVERYONE knew he was going to massacre George McGovern in the '72 election, and had absolutely no reason to think he needed a clandestine advantage to do it. Such was the atmosphere of ends-justifying-means paranoia in the Nixon administration.
All he had to do was stand before the microphones and cameras and admit that there were overzealous aides in his camp, and they were now on their way to the unemployment office. That's all he had to do; fess up.
Instead, he stonewalled and violated his oath of office by authorizing hush money to the Watergate burglars. The rest is history.
All Tom Brady had to do was tell us he liked his footballs slightly underinflated, say he was sorry, and that would have been that for all but the most ardent Patriots' haters.
I'm know I'm comparing a silly football infraction to one of the most important political transgressions in U.S. history, but they do have the same basic thing in common: Both men should have told the truth immediately and then taken whatever minor punishment was to follow. Nixon would have remained the president who ended the Vietnam War, established the EPA and opened the door to China. Tom Brady would have remained the great quarterback who liked to bend the rules a bit, even though he didn't really have to.
4
There is an old saying among trial attorneys: "When the law is against you, pound the facts. When the facts are against you, pound the law. And when the law and the facts are against you, pound the table." Mr. Powell shows that he can pound the table as well as any first-year law student, but otherwise has little to add to the conversation.
Forgoing any semblence of journalistic integrity, the author litters his diatribe with sarcasm, hyperbole, legal fallacies, and even a ridiculous, if unoriginal, reference to Richard Nixon. Full of personal bias and hubris, Mr. Powell switches unashamedly between the third and first person, confident that readers will really care when he says that that Brady's defense has "tried my patience, not to mention my common sense."
Unfortunately, the author's laziness in choosing cheap shots over factual analysis is also an unwitting indictment of his NY readers, whom he knows share his confirmation bias, as indicated by many of the comments here. Indeed, this piece, which would likely receive a D- in a high school journalism class, might be laughable if it wasn't aimed at destroying a man's reputation. Assuming that Mr. Powell is still hanging around sports journalism when Brady is inducted into the Hall of Fame, one can only wonder whether he will be present at the ceremony, proudly reminding everyone of the day he used the power of his pen to try to tear down a man who, by all accounts, is a leader, a good teammate and an upstanding citizen.
Forgoing any semblence of journalistic integrity, the author litters his diatribe with sarcasm, hyperbole, legal fallacies, and even a ridiculous, if unoriginal, reference to Richard Nixon. Full of personal bias and hubris, Mr. Powell switches unashamedly between the third and first person, confident that readers will really care when he says that that Brady's defense has "tried my patience, not to mention my common sense."
Unfortunately, the author's laziness in choosing cheap shots over factual analysis is also an unwitting indictment of his NY readers, whom he knows share his confirmation bias, as indicated by many of the comments here. Indeed, this piece, which would likely receive a D- in a high school journalism class, might be laughable if it wasn't aimed at destroying a man's reputation. Assuming that Mr. Powell is still hanging around sports journalism when Brady is inducted into the Hall of Fame, one can only wonder whether he will be present at the ceremony, proudly reminding everyone of the day he used the power of his pen to try to tear down a man who, by all accounts, is a leader, a good teammate and an upstanding citizen.
10
If you're going to start assigning D-minuses to other people's writing, you should probably review the correct use of "whom" first, in your own writing.
Upstanding citizens do not cheat. Brady cheated. Killing the messenger can't and won't change the one simple fact you guys can't seem to understand.
1
Bravo. Best comment on this article so far. You have precisely captured the absurdity of this article by Michael Powell.
1
whatever happened to 5th amendment rights ? Since when should anyone have to turn over their personal property, letters or notes to satisfy some government, newspaper or big league sportsd franchise. This is the problem with new portable communications. People have an idea that because it's radio that it's not private- it ought to be treatred, once stored as numbers records or pictures, as a personal letter and be done with it.
I do not ever carry a personal cell phone--they are too easily hacked and bugged and they are the suckers road to Hell.
Even criminal offenders and former criminals have rights. That's the point of the bill of rights-=otherwise none of us have any .
I do not ever carry a personal cell phone--they are too easily hacked and bugged and they are the suckers road to Hell.
Even criminal offenders and former criminals have rights. That's the point of the bill of rights-=otherwise none of us have any .
7
The 5th amendment applies to the government, not sports franchises.
Dear mabraun,
When should anyone have to turn over personal property? Answer:
(A) When he/she is under investigation for a criminal act -- and/or a rules violation (see Brady)
(B) When personal property may be considered evidence toward discovering proximate cause of said criminal act -- and/or rules violation (see Brady cellphone)
Collection of evidence and discovery of proximate cause are guaranteed under the law (due process).
When should anyone have to turn over personal property? Answer:
(A) When he/she is under investigation for a criminal act -- and/or a rules violation (see Brady)
(B) When personal property may be considered evidence toward discovering proximate cause of said criminal act -- and/or rules violation (see Brady cellphone)
Collection of evidence and discovery of proximate cause are guaranteed under the law (due process).
1
Am I missing something? destroying a cell phone does not destroy the data, the data exists in the cloud and with the service provider.
1
According to NFL appeal decision, Brady furnished letter from his cell carrier that messages were unrecoverable.
I don't think anyone should be ordered to turn over a personal cell phone, period. We know that whatever was on it - purely personal,not related to the issue - would have been leaked by someone, sometime. He and his family have a right to privacy. Perhaps there was incriminating info on it, but in law, at least, we aren't required to provide evidence against ourselves. Let the NFL change it's rules about inflation -- and maybe about dealing with criminal players, and deliberate maiming of opponents, use of drugs to allow players to play when injured, and using public financing to create private profits . .
There is a lot of very nasty stuff that has gone on in the NFL - a lot of serious issues - and this isn't one of them.
There is a lot of very nasty stuff that has gone on in the NFL - a lot of serious issues - and this isn't one of them.
46
Try telling that to a judge.
One cannot be forced to testify against oneself in a criminal proceeding, i.e., taking the 5th, but one can be forced to provide documentary evidence, including text messages. Don't forget that this is not subject to the legal restraints, but to the rules within the NFL/players union contract.
1
There is no right to privacy in the United States. Please read the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights and show us where the right to privacy is.
1
Well, Tom, sports is fundamentally about credibility and honest competition, even at the NFL level. You play dirty, you pay a price. Not a very big one in this case!
15
Brady's conduct in this matter says a lot more about the fans of pro sports, the owners, the NFL, than it says about Brady. He is simply another in the long line of Armstrongs, A-Rods, and all the other cheats and circus clowns in uniform. Shame on them. Shame on us!
1
The cheerleaders are on the field performing more than Brady. He is the front man not of a sport or game but entertainment akin to professional wrestling, a made for TV infomercial designed for people with three-second attention spans. And the media perpetuates the spectacle with endless fluff implying it is important.
11
Brady had the right to destroy his phone.... or (bizarrely) to have someone destroy it for him and thereby keep his secrets. He's smart enough to know what that act implied. He'll now sit four games and, as the column presciently points out, will expect that few will remember any of this when he's huddling his teammates for a scoring drive in mid-January.
If Brady is in fact smart enough to realize that protecting cellphone privacy comes at a price when you're a public figure, why shouldn't we expect our next president to be at least that smart.
If Brady is in fact smart enough to realize that protecting cellphone privacy comes at a price when you're a public figure, why shouldn't we expect our next president to be at least that smart.
6
“Introduction to the Metaphysics of Ball Security,” is yet to be published.
Self congratulation for clever lines should be far less obvious. Especially when they are not clever. Your English teachers will also "nod in agreement."
Besides, "innocent unlike proven guilty" puts the burden of proof on the prosecution. You find Brady guilty because he destroyed his phone--hardly proof. Rights of privacy are perfectly legit reasons--guilty or not. The servers might still have the texts, but justifying a fishing trip is another matter.
On the other hand--racial politics alone are reasons for the NFL not to rescind its suspension. If the courts do it-- the NFL, Brady and the Patriots are all off the hook.
Self congratulation for clever lines should be far less obvious. Especially when they are not clever. Your English teachers will also "nod in agreement."
Besides, "innocent unlike proven guilty" puts the burden of proof on the prosecution. You find Brady guilty because he destroyed his phone--hardly proof. Rights of privacy are perfectly legit reasons--guilty or not. The servers might still have the texts, but justifying a fishing trip is another matter.
On the other hand--racial politics alone are reasons for the NFL not to rescind its suspension. If the courts do it-- the NFL, Brady and the Patriots are all off the hook.
2
What I find most interesting in this Brady ball deflation saga is the psychology of it all and how deeply our biases impact our judgement. Brady defenders are nearly 100% Patriots fans. The rest of the world, including those who could not care less about football, believe there is a preponderance of evidence of guilt. This plays out in so many other areas of life and politics.
33
I don't care about the Patriots, but I do care about facts and I can clearly see that the NFL doesn't have any facts on their side. Just a bunch of supposition and conveniences. If you consider that absolute guilt, then I'd hate to see you on a jury.
1
Read the AEI report. You look silly.
1
Patriots fans care about the facts of the matter; investigation reveals that there is no hard evidence but rather a collection of weak science and circumstantial evidence that is easily explained.
The rest of the world has no stake in the facts of the matter; they are jealous of the Patriots' success and would like them taken down a peg.
Tell me Jeff, if someone claimed you were a child pornographer, without any actual evidence, and you were not, would you just admit it because everyone else wanted you taken down a peg? Or would you defend yourself, as inconvenient as that might be for the rest of us who want to believe the worst about you?
The rest of the world has no stake in the facts of the matter; they are jealous of the Patriots' success and would like them taken down a peg.
Tell me Jeff, if someone claimed you were a child pornographer, without any actual evidence, and you were not, would you just admit it because everyone else wanted you taken down a peg? Or would you defend yourself, as inconvenient as that might be for the rest of us who want to believe the worst about you?
1
Steroid use, deflating footballs, hacking into another teams software, I thought that these people were called professionals.
5
You have just described professionals in these modern times.
They ARE professionals. That's the problem. With all that money sloshing around even the smallest of advantages can be worth a lot of cash. And a little risk. Put yourself in the shoes of some schlepper like "the Deflator". You have Tom Brady riding you to let a little air out of the ball just the way he likes it. Do you think this guy even thought twice about saying no? Suddenly, here's a guy who maybe played a little high school ball at East Side of Nowhere High and he's "friends" with Tom Brady and someone is kicking him some extra scratch (maybe a lot of extra scratch) to let a little air out of a ball? I know no one has proven that the Deflator or anyone else was being paid cash for this cheating but, really?
And what's so perfect here is that, yes, they essentially got away with it. They WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP (okay, it was a really bad play call by Pete Carroll). Tom Brady got fined and suspended (I'll believe it when I see it). That just means Brady lost a tiny percentage of what he made by winning another championship. In addition he now has a much better chance of being healthy for another playoff run next year since there are 4 games at the start of the season where he'll be safely on the sidelines wearing a head set.
Bill Belichik, Robert Kraft and, yes, Tom Brady laugh all the way to the bank.
Unfortunately I don't think it will work out so well for the Deflator.
And, oh, one more thing. I'm going to keep watching. I'm a Jet fan.
And what's so perfect here is that, yes, they essentially got away with it. They WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP (okay, it was a really bad play call by Pete Carroll). Tom Brady got fined and suspended (I'll believe it when I see it). That just means Brady lost a tiny percentage of what he made by winning another championship. In addition he now has a much better chance of being healthy for another playoff run next year since there are 4 games at the start of the season where he'll be safely on the sidelines wearing a head set.
Bill Belichik, Robert Kraft and, yes, Tom Brady laugh all the way to the bank.
Unfortunately I don't think it will work out so well for the Deflator.
And, oh, one more thing. I'm going to keep watching. I'm a Jet fan.
Brady isn't required to turn his cell-phone over to NFL investigators. The whole PR-driven narrative of his phone is inconsequential and put forth by the league to distract everyone away from the fact that the balls themselves (and the basis for investigation) were not deflated from what science would dictate. This has been proven by numerous third-parties.
Brady is simply the fall guy created by the league powers (Goodell and Kraft) to allow them to exit this mess looking as clean as possible.
Brady is simply the fall guy created by the league powers (Goodell and Kraft) to allow them to exit this mess looking as clean as possible.
12
Having intentionally destroyed material evidence after having been asked to turn it over to investigators, Brady is irrefutably deemed guilty. Suspension stands. Brady should be permanently barred from the Hall of Fame.
18
People who think there is no proof of wrongdoing simply have forgotten that the balls were deflated. Who do they think did this, the Moon men or that some kind of bizarre atmospheric oddities were at play that day? It just goes to show that when favorite celebrities are coddled so much it is hard to accept that they can do something wrong. OJ, anyone?
27
There have been many things written about this and its very reasonable for the footballs' pressure to fluctuate several psi completely on their own. Especially considering the refs that took the measurements didn't know what they were doing in the first place.
Read the AEI report before making such silly remarks. The Patriots balls were not deflated. There was a difference in pressure between theirs and the Colts', but as it turns out, the Colts balls were OVER-inflated from what would have been expected...because the officials allowed them to sit around the warm locker room for the entire halftime before checking them. Know your facts before making a silly statement.
then why is this "fact" not immediately admissible as the reason and the whole fracas simply resolved?
1
Brady is just another cheating professional. No different from the A-Rod's of baseball, basketball. I do not understand how anyone can idolize these types and, more to the point, how any of their "records" should be acknowledged.
Halls of fame? Rather Halls of Shame.
And in this context, all Pete Rose did was bet. He never threw a game. I do not agree with what he did but he is banned for life. Parity of punishment?
Halls of fame? Rather Halls of Shame.
And in this context, all Pete Rose did was bet. He never threw a game. I do not agree with what he did but he is banned for life. Parity of punishment?
7
First, I'll echo Roy's comment, who in their right mind, regardless of celebrity, would hand their mobile phone over to a supervisor, co-worker, company owner to phish through looking for evidence to punish them? The NFL is no legal court of law, not municipal nor federal. It's only a company that issues franchises, like McDonalds or GM. There is nothing even approaching a true system of justice that the NFL institutes on its own that in any way resembles a court of law that you or I would experience. As evidenced by the way Roger Goodell has behaved so far, he alone is arresting officer, prosecutor, sentencing judge, jury, and jail warden, the complete package. Until Tom Brady, the coach, or Mr. Kraft tell us a different story, many of us are on Tom's side. Can Tom do no wrong. That's looking into the future, but so far, we're proud of him and the Pats. As for Pete Rose and the lifetime ban? Where was he during the All-Star Game in Cincinnati ? Right, at the game. Apparently, MLB is tiring of this knuckle-headed ban, and I am, too. Don't be surprised if Rose is nominated and gets a serious number of votes for the Hall of Fame very soon.
No one in their right mind would hand over a phone with 10,000 text messages for investigators of the NFL to “go shopping” for “gotchas.” Brady must have had numerous messages about investment deals, tax deals, agency deals and multiple messages from his wife, who was a superstar model. Would anyone want their personal text messages exposed to outside investigators? Of the 10,000 text messages, how many could possibly be about deflating footballs? 100? That would leave 9,900 text messages that are none of the NFL’s business. Many of these text messages were messages from others "to" Brady about other issues. People who sent Brady text messages also have a right to their privacy.
18
the nytimes had to reference Richard Nixon. how about a reference to Lois Lerner and Hilary playing hide the ball with electronic messaging?
Brady was only asked for the texts/emails from his two "friends." If one is innocent of wrongdoing, and if said data illustrated such, why wouldn't he hand them over? And why destroy the phone? If this story was about any other league QB, everyone would be howling for blood.
"No one in their right mind would hand over a phone with 10,000 text messages for investigators of the NFL to 'go shopping' for 'gotchas.' "
__________
Agreed, but you have your attorney (or other agreed-upon third party) do the review and then negotiate what gets handed over. You don't destroy evidence.
__________
Agreed, but you have your attorney (or other agreed-upon third party) do the review and then negotiate what gets handed over. You don't destroy evidence.
1
Cheating demonstrates a profound lack of confidence in one's ability to win fair and square. Lance Armstrong's underhanded selfishness proved detrimental only to him. But Tom Brady's unlevel playing field showed not only a lack of faith in his ability but his entire team's. I'd be pretty angry if I played for the Patriots and worked for a guy who didn't believe in me. Forget the monetary damages, let's see if Tom can get off a single pass without the protection of his line. That'll teach him.
27
I never fell for that wooly hat and phony deer-in-the-headlights look he put on at the news conference he gave. When spoiled little "Bambi" received the MVP award, my stomach turned.
18
"Real" friends don't order friends to destroy evidence.
It's bad enough that Mr. Brady wanted his cell phone destroyed, but to ask underlings to do it for him is utterly shameful and cowardly. At least when Pete Rose placed those bets so many years ago, he placed them himself instead of implicating anyone else. Mr. Brady's sense of integrity and character are so lame, they don't stand up on crutches.
It's bad enough that Mr. Brady wanted his cell phone destroyed, but to ask underlings to do it for him is utterly shameful and cowardly. At least when Pete Rose placed those bets so many years ago, he placed them himself instead of implicating anyone else. Mr. Brady's sense of integrity and character are so lame, they don't stand up on crutches.
21
You think Tom Brady does anything himself other than play football? You think he went down to the apple store himself and got a new one? The dude is rich beyond belief and he probably has five assistants. That's what it's like when you are rich, you don't have to do stuff like that yourself.
Hard to believe that the evidence is "destroyed" simply by discarding the device. In this era of espionage and hacking it should be relatively simple for super sleuthes to extract the"missing" texts through the service providers.
If we can bug Angela Merkel's cell phone we can certainly retrieve Tom Brady's missing texts.
If we can bug Angela Merkel's cell phone we can certainly retrieve Tom Brady's missing texts.
7
Disgusting that you would revel in that. Disgusting that you recommend espionage and hacking over the right to privacy. Once upon a time, one needed a warrant to access such information, but that was when America was USA not NSA.
Geesh.
Geesh.
What is truly perplexing about this whole episode is how Patriot fans can excuse these actions of their hero and still defend him. How do people get so biased, especially is sports, that they can defend cheating because they are on his side. Carries over into politics , religion, racism, science and you make it.
It really makes no sense does it ? How can people be so biased?
It really makes no sense does it ? How can people be so biased?
10
Because there is no _evidence_ that Brady cheated. Absence of evidence doesn't mean that someone is guilty. It means that there is no _evidence_ that someone is guilty.
We believe what we want to believe. If you believe Brady is guilty, then destroying the cell phone proves it. Why else would he destroy the evidence?
If you believe he is innocent, then why would anyone in his right mind ever hand over his cell phone to the NFL? The same NFL that created this media circus. Who at the NFL would troll through those 10,000 text messages? What about all the messages to his supermodel wife, his coaches, his accountant, his stock broker, his real estate agent? Any chance those might leak to the press? Any chance the slow drip of interesting but irrelevant details might continue for a very long time?
So, believe what you want to believe. Either way, it make sense to lose the messages.
If you believe he is innocent, then why would anyone in his right mind ever hand over his cell phone to the NFL? The same NFL that created this media circus. Who at the NFL would troll through those 10,000 text messages? What about all the messages to his supermodel wife, his coaches, his accountant, his stock broker, his real estate agent? Any chance those might leak to the press? Any chance the slow drip of interesting but irrelevant details might continue for a very long time?
So, believe what you want to believe. Either way, it make sense to lose the messages.
7
Having read the Wells report and seen the numbers myself, I at least am persuaded that there is no justification for believing the balls were under-inflated and that the conclusions of the Wells report do not follow from the evidence cited. Suggestive text messages, what Brady might have done with his phone, and any other tangential circumstances are beside the point if no violation of the rules was committed. Brady's case is rock solid, and it will hold up in court. Meanwhile the defamation continues.
9
The destroyed cell phone is ok with you and hiding evidence?
2
Oh, Tom, Tom, Tom. Too bad you didn't choose to go into banking.
You would have gotten away with really egregious activities and manipulations for profit. Just ask Jamie Dimon.
You would have gotten away with really egregious activities and manipulations for profit. Just ask Jamie Dimon.
8
So what? Does it matter anymore? Brady destroys a phone, Martha went to jail, Hillary destroyed a private in-home e-mail server, Lance doped, Cosby, well... Is success today defined as not being -forced- to give the money back? Whatever happened to shame? Was it replaced by narcissistic rage and denial, and nobody noticed?
4
These stories of sports heroes with feet of clay have been around since the beginning of professional sports in America. It ends up being about privilege and hero worship morphing into arrogance and lack of personal accountability, always fueled by the cadre of lawyers and PR flacks, often sweetened with some secretive elements of one vice or another: gambling, drugs, illicit sex, you name it. Brady's image as the "All American" (white) sports hero, handsome, married to the gorgeous model, supremely talented, super rich, now has a small but noticable dent in its front grill, spoiling the visuals. Wow, he may also be a cheat and a liar? Tell me it ain't so, Tom! I tend to agree with Michael Powell that by October--forget January--this will be in the rear view mirror of most fans and media; just way too much cash and blind passion for football involved. Brady should have a private chat with ARod; he might learn something.
We salute our troops at games, their sacrifice of life and limb, and then find a dozen ways to condone this kind of cheating and lying in our sports "heroes"; really, something's wrong with that picture.
We salute our troops at games, their sacrifice of life and limb, and then find a dozen ways to condone this kind of cheating and lying in our sports "heroes"; really, something's wrong with that picture.
6
It's a matter of record that Brady's lawyers made clear to the NFL from the beginning that they would provide the metadata and the text messages, but not the phone itself, before the phone was destroyed. The NFL declined. The phone was destroyed when it was replaced (as any celebrity would do).
Any lawyer will tell you that you can subpoena text messages for 6 months; the NFL had plenty of time.
Instead, they have seized upon an opportunity to further slander their greatest star, for NOTHING. The Patriots, Brady, Belichick, and their equipment staff have made absolutely clear that nothing happened with regard to the balls. No human put a needle in them, and there's no evidence to the contrary. To the extent the PSI tested below standards (and the testing was not done under remotely reliable circumstance), it is fully explainable by temperature and humidity. The NFL had done NO prior testing to determine how they could discover if a ball had been tampered with, and in the absence of hard evidence they have no business slandering and defaming anyone.
People desperately want to believe that the Patriots cheat, because it gives them an excuse for why their own team isn't as good. Anyone with a remotely neutral position understands that the NFL has done nothing but exposed themselves to a massive defamation lawsuit.
Any lawyer will tell you that you can subpoena text messages for 6 months; the NFL had plenty of time.
Instead, they have seized upon an opportunity to further slander their greatest star, for NOTHING. The Patriots, Brady, Belichick, and their equipment staff have made absolutely clear that nothing happened with regard to the balls. No human put a needle in them, and there's no evidence to the contrary. To the extent the PSI tested below standards (and the testing was not done under remotely reliable circumstance), it is fully explainable by temperature and humidity. The NFL had done NO prior testing to determine how they could discover if a ball had been tampered with, and in the absence of hard evidence they have no business slandering and defaming anyone.
People desperately want to believe that the Patriots cheat, because it gives them an excuse for why their own team isn't as good. Anyone with a remotely neutral position understands that the NFL has done nothing but exposed themselves to a massive defamation lawsuit.
17
Let's guess: A Patriot's fan?
1
Think for just a moment about what you've just said. The NFL is going after their star quarterback. Why would they do that do you think? They've proven to be very good and unprincipled about defending their stars and their money and Brady and his image are part of that. Do you think they chose to slander the goose laying the golden (boy) eggs on a whim, or have they been forced to do so by evidence? If they could clear Brady, wouldn't they have done so out of their own self-interest? If Brady were innocent, the NFL would be first in line saying so. The fact that they are not speaks volumes.
17
And people desperately want to believe the Patriots are squeaky clean. Excuses, excuses.
1
The comments on this article are almost as comical as the article itself. It is only opinion that an underinflated football would provide some kind of advantage. There is just as much opinion that it would be a disadvantage. Either way, the advantage or disadvantage would be impossible to gauge. If inflation was a crucial factor in the game then why did the NFL allow the teams to furnish their own balls? If it mattered that much the NFL would have supplied the balls at game time. The fact is inflation has never been a factor that warranted anything more than a cursory look by the officials So, because the NFL was and is facing much more serious issues, they turn a molehill into a mountain to create a smoke screen and divert attention away from domestic violence, drugs, player safety, and generally bad behavior by players off the field.
11
You mean, the way you are trying to divert attention away from Brady and the NFL. Not to worry....there will be another cheating scandal arriving on stage when this one fades away. The shame is who is footing the bill - in dollars: the FANS. The owners are not paying big bucks out of their pockets, nor is the NFL nor the advertisers - it is us, people. Is that egg we all have on our faces?
Errr...no. Find me one quarterback who likes an overinflated ball in bad weather. The preference for underinflation is physics, not opinion.
I understand that in some ancient Italian monastery they have discovered a lost text of Dante's "Divine Comedy." It describes a room devoted to sinners who have gorged themselves on professional football and reserves the ultimate of tortures for liars, cheaters, bone crushers, millionaire players and billionaire owners and all of their indulgent, feckless fans: eternal damnation of infinite footage of every game ever played anywhere anytime on infinite loop, including commercials, and all without even a drop of beer.
2
So when Hilary Clinton deletes and destroys all devices associated with her top-secret communications and (most likely) illegal backdoor dealings with extremist governments all in the name of campaign contributions/money laundering through her pseudo-charity/and wealth enrichment the readership of the New York Times is all but complacently condoning.
God forbid, however, that an athlete delete personal messages regarding the levels of air inflation in footballs. That is deemed treasonous, offensive to the game, and despicable - he should be ashamed of himself cries the readership of the new york times, all the while ignoring their blatant cognitive dissonance.
Doublethink is not merely the stuff of dystopian fiction.
God forbid, however, that an athlete delete personal messages regarding the levels of air inflation in footballs. That is deemed treasonous, offensive to the game, and despicable - he should be ashamed of himself cries the readership of the new york times, all the while ignoring their blatant cognitive dissonance.
Doublethink is not merely the stuff of dystopian fiction.
2
Wow! This looks so much like phone story of our previous secretary of State Ms Hillary Clinton. Also, aside a gender detail, what an appropriate sentence: "Then again, the disease of rich and powerful men is to lose the ability to take care of even the simplest act on their own."
1
I'm growing extremely weary of all these millionaire athletes denying that they've cheated. Brady's infraction was minor by comparison, which is all the more reason for just fessing up.
3
I'm not a Patriots fan, but all this seems rather blown out of proportion. The cell phone trashing does seem a bit suspect, but imagine if he had any sense that it might be "seized by the authorities" at the hearing, and there was anything of a personal (Gisele) photographic nature on the phone, I'd trash it. But I wish just one other QB would come forward and say, regarding the ball adjustment, "yeah, it's no big deal, we all do it."
Belichick and Brady cut from the same cloth, win at any cost and if htat means do it by cheating so be it. I wouldn't believe anything that comes out of Brady's mouth.
Rules need to be changed in football and quick. No team should handle the game balss during any game that should be the responsibility of the refs. All fo Brady's past wins are now tainted.
Rules need to be changed in football and quick. No team should handle the game balss during any game that should be the responsibility of the refs. All fo Brady's past wins are now tainted.
4
He's just another professional sports star who needs to go down in the posterity books with a big fat asterisk next to his name. End of story.
5
I am lucky. I am a long time Miami Dolphin fan. I witnessed their great seasons and their Super Bowl. Shula as coach, Conska, Jim Kick, Warfield. Nick Bonnaconti, Larry Little etc etc. With respect Shula hasn't waded into this controversy, he only remarked we won fair and square. As this long article finally concludes Pro Football has a big big fan base. All the fans look forward to is another season. Players beating up their wives or messing with air in a football is what it is. Nothing we fans can do about it. We pay or support the advertisers by watching the game.
I don't know Tom Brady, but in general professional athletes spend their lives immersed in their sports. Much of what they know they learned on the field and in the locker room from people, like them, who lack breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. So is it really that surprising that Brady did something stupid and then did something even more stupid in trying to cover it up.
2
Brady and the Patriots must give up their rings. It is clear that cheating is how they operate. The only reason this hasn't happened yet is that the NFL has no way to replay the meaningless championship game. There should be legal consequences both financial and physical for defrauding the league and its fans. Too much money is at stake. Brady has been enriching himself and his team mates by violating the law.
6
The idea that it is conclusive that Brady is guilty because he refused to hand over his cell phone should be offensive to any one who values their privacy. Who knows what personal information is recorded on his phone? Why should he have to share it? Especially, given that the player's agreement specifically stipulates that he does not. The idea that an individual is not guaranteed the sanctity of his privacy over this kind of petty issue is scary.
17
With all due respect, this is just silly. The information about which you are concerned would not be relevant to any of the investigation concerning the under inflation scandal, and in any case, could be protected by a bulletproof confidentiality agreement.
Lawyers do this sort of thing with highly valuable and very secret corporate information; it's absurd to suggest that the same treatment could not protect Mr. Brady from having to divulge sensitive personal information unrelated to this case.
Secondly, no one is guaranteed "the sanctity of his privacy," to use your phrase, when that person violates some rule or law. Look into the concept of discovery in our legal system, you'll see what I mean. And as for stipulations contained in Mr. Brady's player's agreement, I doubt very much it insulates him in the case of cheating inquiries.
Don't get me wrong, I understand where you're coming from (besides Amherst). I'd probably get similarly defensive if there were a similar investigation directed at, for instance, Mariano Rivera (I'm more of a baseball guy). But I would be wrong about that, as you are now.
Lawyers do this sort of thing with highly valuable and very secret corporate information; it's absurd to suggest that the same treatment could not protect Mr. Brady from having to divulge sensitive personal information unrelated to this case.
Secondly, no one is guaranteed "the sanctity of his privacy," to use your phrase, when that person violates some rule or law. Look into the concept of discovery in our legal system, you'll see what I mean. And as for stipulations contained in Mr. Brady's player's agreement, I doubt very much it insulates him in the case of cheating inquiries.
Don't get me wrong, I understand where you're coming from (besides Amherst). I'd probably get similarly defensive if there were a similar investigation directed at, for instance, Mariano Rivera (I'm more of a baseball guy). But I would be wrong about that, as you are now.
1
The quarterback believed his team needed an advantage over its opponent. So he created a secret, unlevel playing field. Whether the outcome of the game was effected or not, is not important, what is important is that Mr. Brady (a truly incredible athlete) doubted his team's ability to win fair and square. Wonder how many times his line will let him get sacked this season?
1
So obviously the words "might have" in the Wells report is hard for you to understand. His team will back him 100 percent - they're not the Yets after all
Brady's destroyed cellphone defense recalls not only Richard Nixon, but Hillary Clinton as well. The only difference is that in Clinton's case there probably won't be any consequences, at least not to her.
3
Professional sports is probably the biggest con in the country if not the world. It's nothing but modern day gladiatorial contests. These multi-billion dollar teams with their oligarch owners and celebrity players don't give a whit about the fans or the cities names that they carry on their uniforms. The owners will move from city to city thinking only of profits and how they can dupe the taxpayers into giving more billions to their often tax exempt corporate welfare state. How gullible the public is to support and fawn over these professional sports grifters.
4
In another article in this newspaper today it is mentioned that Donald Trump has eschewed all technology. No cell phone, no computer for The Donald, and thus no potentially troublesome trail of emails and texts, no need to destroy equipment or erase electronic records, no need to hide what doesn't exist. Impressive, it takes internal fortitude, strength of character, to resist the lure of all these electronic gadgets.
Tom Brady should take note. So should Hillary Clinton.
Tom Brady should take note. So should Hillary Clinton.
3
Thankfully we have hundreds of pages of sworn testimony in numerous court cases and hundreds of hours of recorded TV and radio to get to the bottom of Trump's character. Oh and numerous well-sourced articles. Now if only Ivana could get out from under gag order, his 15 minutes of political fame would be done for good.
Such a tempest in a very small teapot. I care less about all of this as it doesn't matter in the larger scheme of things. The author alludes to much the same thinking.
Folks...this is about a game adult men play. One where they run up and down a proscribed length of marked earth carrying an oval ball, all while bashing each other as they go. )Sounds ridiculous when so put, eh?) I will acknowledge that in our Capitalistic world they are deemed "hero's or warriors" by dint of the amount of money they garner in doing this. But this is warped since we pay such large sums for entertainment all while our true warriors, soldiers on the battlefields of the Mid-East and elsewhere, get paid a pittance by comparison. So for that I really care less about this whole brouhaha. I see this issue, and the sport, as entertainment provided by a rich, pampered set of athletes to a rich, fat and pampered audience.
Or better yet....the NFL is to the sport of football what the WWE is to the sport of wrestling. A charade, a caricature, of the sports original intent.
No criticism; juuuust sayin' is all.
John~
American Net'Zen
Folks...this is about a game adult men play. One where they run up and down a proscribed length of marked earth carrying an oval ball, all while bashing each other as they go. )Sounds ridiculous when so put, eh?) I will acknowledge that in our Capitalistic world they are deemed "hero's or warriors" by dint of the amount of money they garner in doing this. But this is warped since we pay such large sums for entertainment all while our true warriors, soldiers on the battlefields of the Mid-East and elsewhere, get paid a pittance by comparison. So for that I really care less about this whole brouhaha. I see this issue, and the sport, as entertainment provided by a rich, pampered set of athletes to a rich, fat and pampered audience.
Or better yet....the NFL is to the sport of football what the WWE is to the sport of wrestling. A charade, a caricature, of the sports original intent.
No criticism; juuuust sayin' is all.
John~
American Net'Zen
2
If you care so little about this subject, why bother to read Michael Powell's article in the first place? Why then bother to lecture us about the insignificance of pro-sports? Your comment has the odor of an undeserved sense of moral superiority.
1
Again, in his arrogance and hubris, Brady forgets that if he goes to court to try and overturn his suspension, both he and the two bozos from the Patriots locker room are able to be called to testify under oath, and any communication becomes discoverable. He doesn't stand a chance; but obviously his arrogance and hubris are still alive and kicking.
4
Or it could be "obvious" that he's telling the truth.
1
Thanks for such a fine article. In my old age (81 next month) I've given up watching for the usual liberal reasons---too much violence, suicides, kids with concussions--on and on. But voyeuristically I continue to read the reports of this
very,very serious game.
very,very serious game.
3
Per Tom Brady: "I am very disappointed by the NFL’s decision to uphold the 4 game suspension against me. I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either.
Despite submitting to hours of testimony over the past 6 months, it is disappointing that the Commissioner upheld my suspension based upon a standard that it was “probable” that I was “generally aware” of misconduct. The fact is that neither I, nor any equipment person, did anything of which we have been accused. He dismissed my hours of testimony and it is disappointing that he found it unreliable.
I also disagree with yesterdays narrative surrounding my cellphone. I replaced my broken Samsung phone with a new iPhone 6 AFTER my attorneys made it clear to the NFL that my actual phone device would not be subjected to investigation under ANY circumstances. As a member of a union, I was under no obligation to set a new precedent going forward, nor was I made aware at any time during Mr. Wells investigation, that failing to subject my cell phone to investigation would result in ANY discipline.
Most importantly, I have never written, texted, emailed to anybody at anytime, anything related to football air pressure before this issue was raised at the AFC Championship game in January. To suggest that I destroyed a phone to avoid giving the NFL information it requested is completely wrong."
Despite submitting to hours of testimony over the past 6 months, it is disappointing that the Commissioner upheld my suspension based upon a standard that it was “probable” that I was “generally aware” of misconduct. The fact is that neither I, nor any equipment person, did anything of which we have been accused. He dismissed my hours of testimony and it is disappointing that he found it unreliable.
I also disagree with yesterdays narrative surrounding my cellphone. I replaced my broken Samsung phone with a new iPhone 6 AFTER my attorneys made it clear to the NFL that my actual phone device would not be subjected to investigation under ANY circumstances. As a member of a union, I was under no obligation to set a new precedent going forward, nor was I made aware at any time during Mr. Wells investigation, that failing to subject my cell phone to investigation would result in ANY discipline.
Most importantly, I have never written, texted, emailed to anybody at anytime, anything related to football air pressure before this issue was raised at the AFC Championship game in January. To suggest that I destroyed a phone to avoid giving the NFL information it requested is completely wrong."
5
Well, destroying the cell phone was stupid, but my problem with this whole shenanigan is that there isn't any evidence that the balls were tampered with in the first place. Is he on trial for his (un)willingness to turn over his cell phone to a bunch of NFL officials, or is he still on trial for deflated footballs? As I understand, and I've been following the developments closely, there isn't evidence that the footballs were actually deflated below what normal fluctuations could have caused. So if the footballs weren't actually deflated (as the NY Times has reported on), I think the NY Times needs to do the proper thing and ask what he is still on trial for? His character? Spygate? His handling of a cell phone that may or may not have information about something that didn't happen? The fact that there are 32 NFL teams, and that no one outside of New England likes the Patriots?
This is a rich story, however, it's just lacking in substance.
This is a rich story, however, it's just lacking in substance.
9
Brady is lucky. Destroying potential evidence in a legal case would bring more severe consequences.
The bottom line is that fans may have been deceived. Did the Patriots win the game legitimately?
The question should haunt every fan and every citizen for a long time.
The bottom line is that fans may have been deceived. Did the Patriots win the game legitimately?
The question should haunt every fan and every citizen for a long time.
1
oooh... the specter of *we dont know, but lets make subtle allegations to suggest we do know the truth.*
If you are all such good detectives and can assess the guilt of someone by reading the newspaper, why dont you solve murders from your armchair?
If you are all such good detectives and can assess the guilt of someone by reading the newspaper, why dont you solve murders from your armchair?
I'm genuinely confused (not trolling) about the cellphone business. Wouldn't the phones of the two Patriots' employees alleged to have acted on TB's 'orders' have all of his texts (and the NFL has had these phones since shortly after the incident)? What does the NFL imagine was on TB's phone? Texts to other parties boasting of his deed? A full confession? I admit the refusal to hand over the phone looks suspicious, but presumably there are other reasons why TB didn't want the NFL pawing through his phone.
8
That is an excellent point. I can't wait to hear what more revelations come forth.
NFL had full access to both equipment managers and their cellphones including text messages, yet there's no evidence in the Wells report or leaks from the NFL (including any falsified leaks such as the footballs being 2 PSI lower than the minimum requirement) of texts that incriminate Brady.
Sure, it looks suspicious on the surface of his destruction of his SIM and phone, but there's no evidence Brady had any role in this. It wouldn't be out of the question that Brady was trying to cover up other activity, such as some of the stuff that Tiger Woods had been involved with, but deflating footballs is ludicrous.
Certainly none of the evidence that exists for Alex Rodriguez.
Sure, it looks suspicious on the surface of his destruction of his SIM and phone, but there's no evidence Brady had any role in this. It wouldn't be out of the question that Brady was trying to cover up other activity, such as some of the stuff that Tiger Woods had been involved with, but deflating footballs is ludicrous.
Certainly none of the evidence that exists for Alex Rodriguez.
4
Wouldn't it have been refreshing if Brady had stepped back and simply said, "I asked the assistants to assure the balls were not too hard due to the cold. They may have taken some steps to assure that, and I regret saying it and implying directly or indirectly that something should be done to soften the ball's grip." I accept responsibility and am willing to sit out as a sign of good faith for the integrity of the game." Then it would be over -- he gets duly punished and shows that he's at least a man who pays attention to whether it's important or not to be basically honest. How can anyone respect someone who just flat out lies when he is perfectly positioned economically and socially not to. Now, let's take it court and win! Modern day HUBRIS!
7
Many sports figures place winning above everything else and will do anything for an edge. Brady is one of the few who were caught.
1
Cell phones aren't like paper diaries when it comes to text messages. Destroying a phone hardly prevents accessing text messages sent and received by that device. Those are also stored in the network of cell service provider.
4
THERE IS NO PROOF. Why is that so hard for all the Brady-haters and Patriot-haters to understand? Because they don't want to understand it. Why? Because they can't stand the fact that the Patriots, thanks in large part to Brady and Belichick, beat them with such regularity and so decisively. Why? Because they're simply, on the whole, better. This is hard for the haters to accept, so they have to latch onto everything that might put the Patriots in a negative light and to ramp up the intensity of that light.
It's persecution. If you were to shine that bright a light on any professional sports team, you would find all kinds of things you could punish them for. Everyone does everything they can to gain an advantage, and everyone knows that; anyone who tries to single out the Patriots as somehow worse is simply delusional. It's just that the others who are gaining those advantages are mostly losers, so nobody much cares.
IF the balls were underinflated, that was one such attempt to gain an advantage, not laudable, but also not the end of the world. And besides, the Patriots did pretty well in the second half of that game, with fully inflated balls, didn't they?
It's persecution. If you were to shine that bright a light on any professional sports team, you would find all kinds of things you could punish them for. Everyone does everything they can to gain an advantage, and everyone knows that; anyone who tries to single out the Patriots as somehow worse is simply delusional. It's just that the others who are gaining those advantages are mostly losers, so nobody much cares.
IF the balls were underinflated, that was one such attempt to gain an advantage, not laudable, but also not the end of the world. And besides, the Patriots did pretty well in the second half of that game, with fully inflated balls, didn't they?
12
Brady destroyed evidence. Only one reason to do that, and that's guilt. Belichick and Brady have a history together of cheating and lying about it. It's too bad because they really never needed to do it. They have destroyed their credibility and destroyed the legacy of the entire team. "The New England Patriots, winners of four Super Bowls.*"
7
How do you know what was on his cell phone was "evidence"?
1
What evidence? Evidence you think is there? Is that how it works these days?
Tell me... if you you drop your phone, it breaks and want to replace it, do you check with Congress before you do it?
Tell me... if you you drop your phone, it breaks and want to replace it, do you check with Congress before you do it?
1
Let's be quite clear about this.
Football is a proxy for war. We Americans love the violence, the cartoonish displays of macho dominance and the vicarious thrills of being seemingly a part of it all.
We are only slightly less bloodthirsty than the ancient Romans.
So no one really cares whether Tom Brady cheated or not. We want a spectacle and he gives us one.
No problem. U mad, bro?
Football is a proxy for war. We Americans love the violence, the cartoonish displays of macho dominance and the vicarious thrills of being seemingly a part of it all.
We are only slightly less bloodthirsty than the ancient Romans.
So no one really cares whether Tom Brady cheated or not. We want a spectacle and he gives us one.
No problem. U mad, bro?
2
So, if you lie and cheat your way to fame and fortune, your a hero? The business model of the NFL is totally corrupt. The message it sends to all is win at all cost. Hopefully it will not be too long before the sport of football is banned due to possible head injuries. Can't come too soon.
3
Hard to grasp what is the greater sin here: deflated first half footballs, spitters, corked bats, or a kangaroo NFL court intent on sacking up and showing off their faux integrity. I think I'll go back to sleep.
6
If there is evidence, it's not just on Brady's cell phone (unless of course, he's texting himself). If NFL is truly looking for evidence from text messages, they can find them from Brady's relevant contacts. Why not ask them for their cell phones for evidence?
43
They did and found evidence regarding Brady. That's why they wanted his phone. That's why he destroyed it and the SIM card. He learned to cheat from his boss. Nothing new here.
Fired former equipment managers are not likely to provide their phones.
Because in his contract (as with all NFL players) Mr. Brady agreed to cooperative and aide with any NFL investigations. So Mr. Brady has some contractual obligation to do so, even if the NFL can not legally compel him to do so. But that lack of leverage for the NFL to compel the handing over of the cell phone cuts the other way too. They have the right to punish a player without needing the burden of proof that a court of law would require. It's such a shame that Mr. Brady destroyed his phone before he knew the suspension would be upheld. If he only had it now he could prove his innocence....
The Patriots have squandered their claim to the 2015 AFC Conference Championship by cheating to achieve that goal. They should be stripped of that title as well as the opportunity to play for the 2015 NFL Championship, their Super Bowl win should be vacated with no Super Bowl title being awarded for this year. The blank line on the Lombardi Trophy for the 2015 title should be their lifetime punishment for cheating to get to the Super Bowl! They have demeaned sportsmanship forever, their name on the Trophy is an embarrassment.
58
You are seriously in need of help. Good grief it's a football game and the Pats won it 45-7 and during the second half when supposedly the balls were perfectly inflated -- they scored 28 unanswered points on the Colts.
Your comment that "they have demeaned sportsmanship forever" is laughable.
Your comment that "they have demeaned sportsmanship forever" is laughable.
Yes, and Brady should be imprisoned and the Patriots should be disbanded. That would be proportional to a very flawed and biased conclusion that it is "more probable than not" that Brady was "generally aware" of something that likely didn't happen and certainly had no impact on any outcome.
It appears telling that this simple statement of consequences for cheating gets almost no recommends from readers.
I believe it vindicates the sports writer's point about money driving pro football.
I believe it vindicates the sports writer's point about money driving pro football.
1
(Sentencing Judge calls the play, NFL Play-by-Play style)--"Tom Brady with the phone, back, back, he's looking desperate, time is running out, scrambling, then into the kitchen, he boils it for an hour in a gallon of water with an added pound of salt. Buying time, he microwaves it until sparks and flames fly. Increasingly under pressure, Brady goes into the garage for the lawnmower gas can, douses the phone, and lights in on fire with his Official NFL Playoffs Patriots lighter. The play clock is running, Gisele and the kids will be home any minute, and he's under a lot of pressure from the league office, he puts the phone under the SUV and runs over it again and again, shattering it into dozens of pieces. Before running out of bounds to safety, Brady runs to the bathroom, and flushes all the pieces down the toilet as he just eludes the truth's grasp. No net yardage, but Brady has survived to play another down. The NFL is a tough game folks, and Brady knows it. He's a competitor, and he'll do what it takes to gain that winning edge. (Alaska Seahawks Fan)
1
Roger Goodell handed out the suspension to stave off criticism that he was too much of a Caspar Milquetoast executive and Brady and the Player's Union will most likely be able to use the provisions of their labor contract with the NFL to have these penalties set aside in Federal Court.
3
Which provisions? The one that allows Goodell to be the arbiter of matters affecting the integrity of the game?
1
There is still no answer why the Patriots deflated footballs. With all the attention of Brady's grip and fumbles, a third likely consideration hasn't been talked about much. The Patriots used the shotgun more than any other team, and their starting center was injured the week before the Colts game. Starting at center against the Colts was back-up Ryan Wendell, who had not played center all year long after having been moved to guard because of his poor handling of the ball.
There have been plenty of answers. Just not one some are prepared to listen to because it involves facts.
2
Brady destroyed the phone, but the text messages can still be retrieved. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and other carriers save your text messages on their servers, and they will release them in rare circumstances. The NFL should cite the fact that the messages are part of a legal investigation, and request that the messages are released by Brady's cell-phone carrier. That aside, this just adds another nail in the cheater's coffin.
4
I was involved in a legal matter where text messages were requested during discovery and Sprint told me they only kept texts for 30 days as there were too many of them. That was 7 years ago.
There is variation from one carrier to the next. AT&T saves information about who you texted/called for 5 to 7 years. T-Mobile saves this information for 5 years; Sprint for 18 months; Verizon for 1 year. Verizon is the only carrier who retains the actual texts. But even knowing who Brady texted/called, and how often he did it, may be important. You could then trace the phone of the person Brady texted. The next step: any competent technical forensics pro could retrieve the texts from Brady's or the recipient's computer, or from the cloud backup. My point is, you don't need the actual phone to investigate. The texts themselves might be gone, but there is a lot of valuable information about who he was communicating with, and how much, and that will tell you something.
1
This whole thing is silly, from absolutists who want to see Brady walk the plank to league stalwarts who know that regardless the outcome, nothing of real consequence will happen. At a million $ + per game, Brady certainly has an incentive to combat the charges and can hope that the embarrassment to the league over a spat that in real terms is irrelevant will serve him in the courts, both legal and in popular opinion. Hist team beat the Ravens. End of story.
Is he a cheater? Does Lebron travel on 3 out of 5 posessions? Does anyone really care? This isn't a criminal thing. It is people maneuvering within the realm of a fantasy world where the rules are "interpreted" to suit.
Goodell has shown a particular skill in being ham-handed in these sorts of dealings - Ray Rice, anyone? He has now swung the other way too far. We will now be awarded the spectacle of Federal court over footballs without enough air????
Is he a cheater? Does Lebron travel on 3 out of 5 posessions? Does anyone really care? This isn't a criminal thing. It is people maneuvering within the realm of a fantasy world where the rules are "interpreted" to suit.
Goodell has shown a particular skill in being ham-handed in these sorts of dealings - Ray Rice, anyone? He has now swung the other way too far. We will now be awarded the spectacle of Federal court over footballs without enough air????
3
What is left out of this discussion is that altering the pressure of the football as well as similar actions has been going on league-wide. But that the Patriots may have been doing it elevates the act into a football felony.
1
regardless of who did what, if the pressure of the ball, not to mention its condition is an important element in the game, why on earth are they left in the custody of the team and not handed over to an official before the game starts? A few simple checks could be performed before the game starts which could ensure a 'level playing field'.
1
First words to the jury by Tom Brady's lawyer:
"I ask you ladies and gentlemen of the jury, could a man married to legs like these possibly be guilty of deflating footballs."
Unanimous response of the jury: "Not Guilty."
"I ask you ladies and gentlemen of the jury, could a man married to legs like these possibly be guilty of deflating footballs."
Unanimous response of the jury: "Not Guilty."
1
As a 43 year Patriots fan..seeing all the unworthiness of various acts of the NFL, Tatums hits, Concussion mania, off field criminality.... the NFL Commissioner only showed that he can only hit a good person...and do nothing about the thuggery around the NFL and by silence, down into College football.
I find this only belittles the NFL.
I find this only belittles the NFL.
3
The irony is that there would be no suspension if he destroyed the phone by throwing it at his wife. Absent video the Commish would be unable to imagine what Tom looks like throwing something.
6
I hear Three Stooges music in my head any time the NFL does anything requiring tact, analysis, or strategy. When I retire I will write a book titled How Not To Manage Public Relations 101: the Roger Goodell Era. He is creating case studies at every press conference.
2
Like I said before, Brady's facial expressions and attitude remind me of that Tour de France guy from Texas who cheated.
1
Lance Armstrong, yes they play by the same rules.
I hope Brady goes to court. We can then enjoy the testimony of the folks who were in custody of the balls, and their text messages, as well as the assistant who destroyed the phone. There is so much more here for the public to know, and a Federal case would be great for the fans and the media. Maybe not so much for the NFL and Tom Terrific.
3
Brady's attitude and facial expressions remind me of that Tour de France guy from Texas who always denied he cheated.
2
Good point about the lack of fumbling (at least on the field of play) by the Pats. A softer ball obviously gives them yet another illegal advantage. I hope these chisellers are 0-4 when the prevaricator returns...
1
By allowing each team to bring their own footballs, and then checking them at different times, the NFL opens the door to cheating. Why can't the NFL supply the footballs -- the same footballs to both teams?
1
Let's put aside for the moment the probability that if you destroy some evidence, you have something to hide.
Now, can you imagine what would have happened if Brady made available his cell phone with thousands of messages? How long would it have taken for someone to release all sorts of juicy personal tidbits not related to the football controversy.
Brady would have his entire life exposed to serial disclosure. Given the sick interest in the personal lives of the rich and famous, Brady probably decided that he'd rather taken the criticism than have his life become headlines in The Inquirer.
Now, can you imagine what would have happened if Brady made available his cell phone with thousands of messages? How long would it have taken for someone to release all sorts of juicy personal tidbits not related to the football controversy.
Brady would have his entire life exposed to serial disclosure. Given the sick interest in the personal lives of the rich and famous, Brady probably decided that he'd rather taken the criticism than have his life become headlines in The Inquirer.
8
Hey Tom! Give Lance a call and ask how repeated denials, obstruction, and lawsuit threats worked-out for him.
43
Tom Brady and Lance Armstrong are two sides of the same coin. Both men are "superior beings" who maintained a facade of integrity while using "lowly" underlings as cover for their dishonesty.
73
As a lifelong Jets fan, I hate knowing they didn't even need to do it. But I love knowing that they still did.
7
If they did it, it was only because they thought they needed to do it. Nixon didn't have to launch the Watergate Break-In, he would have won in a landslide in '72, anyway. But he thought someone needed to do it.
It's not complicated, he destroyed evidence after it had been requested for evidence and said that it was his practice to do that when he changed phones when in fact he did not destroy his prior phone. It's not hard to figure out that: (a) he did not want anyone to see the texts on the phone; and (b) he is lying about his "practice" to destroy a phone when he changes phones. The league has done the right thing. The best thing he can do for his team and the league, if not himself, is to accept the decision. If he continues to fight, it will only result in ongoing bad publicity for him, although perhaps he deserves that.
8
Of course, the dishonesty is flagrant. Performance enhancing drugs invaded on a huge scale. Billions are wagered. TV revenue ballooned compensation. Bullying parents and coaches are destroying sports for our young. Obesity is rife in many sports, and 40% of applicants are rejected for the military for health issues, obesity is #1. Our young males threaten schools and their parents with guns, crime in Chicago is swelling. Teachers own state capitols, pensions are failing on paper. The nation and its people are barely respected in some very difficult people.
More to come someday..
More to come someday..
The point of departure for this entire episode is the absurd rule that each offense gets to provide its own game balls. It's like if Gaylord Perry were allowed to bring his own baseballs to the mound with the spit already on them. As for the suspension, 2 games for lying and 2 games for the rule violation (you're delusional if you think Brady didn't know the ball was too soft just from picking it up, and you're delusional if you think an equipment manager had the say-so to deflate the balls w/o Brady's knowledge).
40
This whole incident goes to show how money has corrupted even the things that are intended to make us smile.
20
Really simple. How can any court of law condone destroying evidence?
32
No court of law is involved here. No one is even suggesting that a crime has been committed. NFL rules are not laws. The NFL is not a government. And their procedures for investigating allegations and assessing punishment are clearly nothing like due process.
1
Why should Brady hand over his private phone so that Goodell can look at bikini pics of Giselle?
There's no requirement in the labor agreement to do so. It's also quite clear that everything about this entire "scandal" is completely made up. So, why should Brady continue with this farce?
There's no requirement in the labor agreement to do so. It's also quite clear that everything about this entire "scandal" is completely made up. So, why should Brady continue with this farce?
2
No way I would hand my cell phone over to my employer or anyone else so that they could pick through private messages, photos, financial info etc. And is Brady to trust Goodell et al to maintain his privacy? Something would leak...
16
Wells, Goddell never asked for the phone. For goodness sakes, look at the facts.
Anything relevant was discoverable; and its destruction is obsrtuction of justice.
There are ways around that and the NFL offered that. He had something to hide and obstructed the investigation.
1
"character is destiny" quote attributed to Heraclitus. means simply, your fate is not predetermined by an outside force but rather by your own inner character.
13
Patriot summer interns are getting their first taste of the great integrity of this team. And carpal tunnel syndrome trying to delete smoking gun emails.
4
The fact of the matter is that if this had happened to any other QB, take Geno Smith, we wouldn't be hearing about it even the next day, let alone 8 months later. The self-righteous choir calling for Brady's head need to do a little self-reflection and realize that it might just be the fact that the Patriots have been dominant since the dawn of the millennium that is the source of their woes.
Those preaching the anti-sports jeremiad need to take a big step down of their high horses.
Those preaching the anti-sports jeremiad need to take a big step down of their high horses.
13
They've also been cheating since the dawn of the millennium.
As repeat offenders, the Patriots were dealt with harshly. But any other QB caught doing this would have suffered similar consequences to Brady's. But no other QB has ever done it, so I guess this'll have to remain speculative.
As repeat offenders, the Patriots were dealt with harshly. But any other QB caught doing this would have suffered similar consequences to Brady's. But no other QB has ever done it, so I guess this'll have to remain speculative.
You obviously didn't watch the 1985 Superbowl.
How many Super Bowls has Geno Smith played in? How many times was Terry Bradshaw, or Joe Montana put under the microscope for alleged cheating?
2
I'll bet his warped logic led him to convince himself that champions don't destroy their own phones, and that somehow he could scapegoat his underling, or spin it away. His privilege has infected his judgement--from cheating, to lying, to destroying the evidence. It caught up with him. Brady thought he was above it all, that everyone else plays by the rules, but "champions" play a different game, and are above the law. Such a fool. I liked him before this, and I am a Seahawk fan.
11
Brady is no different than any other star professional athlete in this country. He does what he has to do to have an advantage. Because the game is driven by revenue only, the pressure is great to perform at a level higher than one's opponent. We have been seeing this for years in baseball. We sit and watch our favorite teams, bet our money, drink our beers, and then whine incessantly when we find out they cheated. I am not exactly sure when it changed in our society, but we have learned to not care, look the other way, and refuse our own culpability so long as we are making money, and more money, and more money. We don't care how it looks to future generations. We don't care how it destroys integrity because integrity went out the window years ago. In professional sports being successful and making millions if not billions, supersedes integrity every day of the week. They no longer go hand in hand if they even ever did. I still watch - I still am amazed by the sheer athleticism, but I don't believe in their innocence or their moral character any more. I wish I could.
17
We've seen the drugs in baseball, bicycle, track and swimming, among others. We've come to believe drugs dominate. It's like the front page of The New York Times the day our oldest was interviewed at admissions for Princeton. 34% of freshmen had admitted to cheating on the take home. How was the honest freshman to compete, I asked. Our first graduated summa. I doubt he cheated. He worked.
But Brady? Does he lie? Do his actions teach kids?
Did Bill Clinton's words about Monica help our kids?
Did Nixon leave a taste?
Did anyone see The WSJ piece on Gov. Pataki cattle farming and running for the GOP nomination? He is our neighbor. Guess what...
Tom Brady will pay for his duplicity. His children will teach him why it's best to play it straight.
The truth always wins, sooner or later.
But Brady? Does he lie? Do his actions teach kids?
Did Bill Clinton's words about Monica help our kids?
Did Nixon leave a taste?
Did anyone see The WSJ piece on Gov. Pataki cattle farming and running for the GOP nomination? He is our neighbor. Guess what...
Tom Brady will pay for his duplicity. His children will teach him why it's best to play it straight.
The truth always wins, sooner or later.
2
Has modern professional sport become so much about money that there is no longer any room at all for honour?
11
The point of the enterprise is to make money. This has nothing to do with honor, and if you think it does you might want to examine your value system. The NFL worships mammon. That's it. That's all.
The NFL has no integrity; nothing can be believed until the League through its commissioner reforms the game.
Throughout this scandal, it has been frequently expressed that "Brady is the best ever", "Look at all Super Bowls", and "they would have won the game anyway".
Yet every observation about Brady overlooks this overriding fact: he cheated; he's tarnished and toxic. A four game suspension is ludicrously light. Brady deserves to be expelled and banished for life. Roger needs to make an example of him. Tom Brady needs to become the Shoeless Joe of the NFL. Only such a purge can restore integrity.
Throughout this scandal, it has been frequently expressed that "Brady is the best ever", "Look at all Super Bowls", and "they would have won the game anyway".
Yet every observation about Brady overlooks this overriding fact: he cheated; he's tarnished and toxic. A four game suspension is ludicrously light. Brady deserves to be expelled and banished for life. Roger needs to make an example of him. Tom Brady needs to become the Shoeless Joe of the NFL. Only such a purge can restore integrity.
16
This is a very dramatic conclusion. Cheating is part of this game, and every player participates. This is not a question. Deception is central to football, and with deception comes walking a gray line that is crossed all the time. What bothers you is not that Brady cheated, because his cheating clearly had no influence, and players cheat all the time. What bothers you is that he has not come clean about it. Yet you want to him to be banished from a sport for this? Integrity had never won championships. Truth is, it may be common practice to deflate balls in the winter. Without systematic records of inflation from every game over the past decade, we have to assume that many QBs have done the same thing. Just like so many Americans have always assumed Brady was guilty of all charges.
Brady has looked terrible in all his responses. I think he is guilty, and a 4 game suspension is more than just, given the lack of documentation of the actual evidence and blatant dismissal of PV=nRT in the Well's Report.
Brady has looked terrible in all his responses. I think he is guilty, and a 4 game suspension is more than just, given the lack of documentation of the actual evidence and blatant dismissal of PV=nRT in the Well's Report.
Where's the proof he cheated? Don't say he destroyed it, cause you know that's a cop out. You got anything that is even close to being admissible in court?
The Wells Report was totally based on supposition and incorrect science. A sophomore in high school could come up with a better report than that.
The Wells Report was totally based on supposition and incorrect science. A sophomore in high school could come up with a better report than that.
1
How desperate are Jets and Giants fans?
Goodell should have stepped aside and let this case be decided by others. He has opened up a legal loophole, and he may lose as a result. Sort of like a blitz that opens up a wide receiver for touchdown.
6
Classic misdirection play, on the part of the NFL. After a season where their feckless morality was exposed on everything from brain trauma to domestic violence they seize on a comparatively minor infraction to take a stand. The NFL rules state that the penalty for under inflated balls is a fine of $25,000. Instead, with a investigation employing questionable methodologies yielding a less than ironclad conclusion the league hands down a punishment wildly disproportionate to the offense hoping to distract fans from its record of failure in truly important masters.
29
Steven, you missed the point....
It's about not be cooperative in the investigation and lying, not about deflating footballs. Add in destroying evidence and a preponderance of circumstantial evidence and you have the current situation. It has little to do with deflated footballs.
It's about not be cooperative in the investigation and lying, not about deflating footballs. Add in destroying evidence and a preponderance of circumstantial evidence and you have the current situation. It has little to do with deflated footballs.
Err...why should he self-incriminate especially to those on a fishing expedition? Not to mention deliver on a platter, juicy private information? The way to get both: (1) court order to phone carrier for text metadata and (2) Chinese/NK hackers for the juicy stuff. But Tom's gotten rid of the juicy part meaning dwindling public interest in this story. Goodbye Tom and goodbye click-on-Brady.
7
Why is cheating not a reason for lifetime suspension? Isn't this worse than what Pete Roae did?
22
Mr. Tom Brady will prevail in court and the NFL will look the fool. The NFL is not the Vatican and Goidell is not the Pope. You cannot hamstring the best team because it would discredit the ultimate winner of next year Champion.
8
Remember that if this does go to federal court:
(i) Brady and all the underlings can be brought in to testify under oath. If they continue the obfuscation and lies there, it is a crime punishable by prison.
(ii) They will be subject to legal discovery backed up by subpoena power. To the extent the text messages exist somewhere, they can be forced by compulsion of law to produce them. Phone records can also be accessed.
(iii) Spoilation of evidence (e.g., destroying the cell phone) creates a strong presumption against the perpetrator in court.
(iv) An actual court battle would be monumentally expensive for both sides and would potentially be very embarrassing for all parties involved (all of whom, by the way, work in a multi-billion dollar industry reliant on the integrity of its people, rules and processes).
This ain't going to federal court.
(i) Brady and all the underlings can be brought in to testify under oath. If they continue the obfuscation and lies there, it is a crime punishable by prison.
(ii) They will be subject to legal discovery backed up by subpoena power. To the extent the text messages exist somewhere, they can be forced by compulsion of law to produce them. Phone records can also be accessed.
(iii) Spoilation of evidence (e.g., destroying the cell phone) creates a strong presumption against the perpetrator in court.
(iv) An actual court battle would be monumentally expensive for both sides and would potentially be very embarrassing for all parties involved (all of whom, by the way, work in a multi-billion dollar industry reliant on the integrity of its people, rules and processes).
This ain't going to federal court.
1
You'll feel badly when it does go to Federal Court and trust is restored. What did Tom Brady ever do to be considered untrustworthy. Nothing, ever! The NFL overplayed Front Office ego and authority, while Brady is secure and not worried. Remember that Brady said he did not lie and the league chased rumor and innuendo instead of facts. I propose that a court of law is exactly what Tom Brady wants such that NFL arbitraryness will not play and the court slams the league for gross "stupidity" and overreach. Brady is a hero and Mr. Goodell will quietly resign sometimes next year never to be heard of again. Count-on-it!
I'm a 50 year NYGiant fan- so - why did the referees not check the balls during the games, as the NFL was aware of the accusations. and, if the balls were underinflated, then flag the Patriots for unsportsmanlike conduct, 15 yards, and on to the next play. Something fishy in making this a federal case.
44
The refs couldn't even measure the football inflation properly. This whole thing is a joke.
1
Hate him if it makes you happy, but please tell me who you would want as your qb if your beloved team was making a final drive to win a game with a minute left on the clock. Who would you really want?
5
Is the ball he's throwing regulation or doctored?
Aaron Rogers, of course.
(I'm obligated to write that because I'm from Wisconsin)
(I'm obligated to write that because I'm from Wisconsin)
Peyton Manning.
Signed, A NY Giants fan.
Signed, A NY Giants fan.
3
I wonder how the Times would feel if this "investigation" was for a New York team. It seems like much ado about nothing. No real evidence, just supposed wrong doing. That's pretty weak. I think the rest of the league and the non-patriots fans need to take their binkies and blankies and go lay down for a bit.
10
If that New York team was the Giants, the deflating of footballs wouldn't have happened in the first place. And if it had, the Giants management would tell their quarterback to man up, serve his suspension and be done with it. All the whining seems to be coming from New England. Every Super Bowl they've won has been tainted by cheating in one form or another. Thank God for the Giants, otherwise the Pats and their fans would be insufferable.
Wow, do you really believe the Giants have God on their side?
The NFL's case has many holes. When it gets in a real court, the things that look so clear will not be. The real question is why does his suspension the same as a player who committed domestic violence? Goodel will have to take the stand and that may be a problem. The procedure reminds me of the military which has always been a joke. We all laughed at the term military justice.
9
Integrity of the game vs. personal conduct. A player committing domestic violence isn't getting an unfair edge against his opponent. Brady was clearly trying to get an edge. It may be a very small edge but you can argue that for elite athletes a small edge is the difference between and interception and a first down.
The real question is why is a player who is tampering with the integrity of the game and lying to the public about it getting the same penalty from the sport as someone who commits personal misconduct subject to criminal penalties that doesn't impact the integrity of the game?
The real question is why is a player who is tampering with the integrity of the game and lying to the public about it getting the same penalty from the sport as someone who commits personal misconduct subject to criminal penalties that doesn't impact the integrity of the game?
How Goodell is wasting our tax payers money. Every Quarterback in the NFL does it and the ball doesn't need to have a PSI it should be flexible so no quarterback has to face this idiotic rule.
Sorry people Brady has a right to privacy and his family already has a lot of people dwelling into his families life more so because of her being a super model.
Sorry people Brady has a right to privacy and his family already has a lot of people dwelling into his families life more so because of her being a super model.
2
Are you paying taxes to the NFL?
1
Yes he has a right to privacy what he does not have a right to do is..................CHEAT!!! And that's exactly what he did, he got caught and blamed others, that is something to be proud about indeed.
What are you talking about "taxpayers money"?
Stories like this bring out the would-be lawyer in a lot of people, and that is not a good thing. Lawyers avoid the truth when at all possible and often seek to discredit truth-tellers. Why anyone would want to act like them is a mystery to me.
2
I can't believed that Lindsey Graham outclassed Tom Brady on how to destroy a cellphone.
40
Simply give the balls to the officials and have them randomly put into play. With no one knowing which ball was going to be used when, no one could adjust specific balls for their QB's preference.
9
"in an attempt to subvert & overturn rules" - i dare say that your bias is showing, Mr. Powell.
1
I have yet to read why a lower (or higher) air pressure in a football is so unfair. How is the game harmed by a under-inflated or over-inflated football? Is this rule really necessary? If it is so critical, why have teams been allowed to provide there own footballs instead of the officials? Yes, a rule is a rule but is it a good rule?
5
You haven't been paying attention. Under-inflated footballs are easier to grip.
3
So what? Some quarterbacks prefer over-inflated footballs. And some quarterbacks were gloves for a better grip. Fans want to watch a good game and good passes. Let the quarterbacks throw the footballs they like or don't let them have ANY control over the footballs and place them under the control of the officials. Change the rule or drop it. What inflation rules are there in college football?
2
Are you suggesting that Brady and his equipment guys went to all this risk and trouble to do something to the balls that would aid opposing teams?!
Americans like winners, but most Americans love a winner that does it the old fashioned way- by not cheating. Brady and the Patriots are cheaters and there will always be an asterisk next to their 2015 Super Bowl championship.
54
Tommyboy and other naysayers:
Don't forget that with fully inflated balls used during the second half, Brady and the Patriots broke out into quite an offensive display, while their opponents fared worse than in the first half. So all of the hoopla about gaining an advantage with under-inflated balls seems oddly misplaced.
If, as reported elsewhere, the NFL received all of the electronic data they requested for discovery, what more could be had? Physical possession of the device won't yield any more data. And, if I were Tom Brady, I certainly wouldn't want or allow the NFL to inspect anything other than what was responsive to the case.
Lets face it, this is Roger Goodell attempting to save face by now being a tough disciplinarian with Tom Brady following his gaffs with Ray Rice and others for truly bad behavior. Goodell's track record is not unlike a pendulum swinging too far in the direction of leniency, followed by swinging too far in the opposite direction.
Don't forget that with fully inflated balls used during the second half, Brady and the Patriots broke out into quite an offensive display, while their opponents fared worse than in the first half. So all of the hoopla about gaining an advantage with under-inflated balls seems oddly misplaced.
If, as reported elsewhere, the NFL received all of the electronic data they requested for discovery, what more could be had? Physical possession of the device won't yield any more data. And, if I were Tom Brady, I certainly wouldn't want or allow the NFL to inspect anything other than what was responsive to the case.
Lets face it, this is Roger Goodell attempting to save face by now being a tough disciplinarian with Tom Brady following his gaffs with Ray Rice and others for truly bad behavior. Goodell's track record is not unlike a pendulum swinging too far in the direction of leniency, followed by swinging too far in the opposite direction.
2
Then we have to discount the Tampa Bay/Oakland SB because both QBs admitted to asking the ball boys to "do something about the shiny new footballs that the NFL was supplying for the games." At worst this is a minor infraction. NFL should have levied a fine as they did to Brett Favre, the San Diego Chargers and the Vikings in the past instead of paying millions for a report that proved nothing. Baseball has not let the home team provide baseballs for decades to try to discourage the spitball but that didn't prevent Gaylord Perry from being admitted to the MLBHOF. Shaq O'Neal admitted that Lakers deflated basketballs, why no outcry about them? As Jon Stewart says "where is the equivalent outrage?"
Why would anyone destroy that phone? That phone is treasure trove of football tricks that wins Super Bowls. I would encourage other QBs to do what he has achieved instead of whining about him. And my phone cannot seem to store 10,000 text messages. What model is that?.
7
And I'm sure Hillary didn't personally destroy her email server. But if trying to keep messages private is ok for someone running for President, it is certainly ok for someone playing football. And he was under no record retention obligation.
17
Exactly. Destroying evidence and ignoring consequences takes more money and power than Brady has. Yet there is one other difference: having a personal server is like having a disposable cell phone, and there are few noble reasons to do that.
There are simple procedures for keeping non-relevant texts and emails private, and these procedures are used on a daily basis in litigation. A third party reviews them and provides only relevant ones. The privacy claim for not providing your cellphone is utterly bogus. However, Brady probably was unaware of this and rashly destroyed his cellphone because he had other info on it he did not want revealed. The NFL had the equipment guys cellphones and found no incriminating texts from Brady. The investigation itself is comically overblown. A reprimand would seem like the most fitting punishment.
And if Hillary Clinton jumped off a bridge would it be OK for Tom Brady to jump off a bridge, too?
I understand that people deranged by Hillary Clinton need to drag her into everything but this is a reach of epic proportions.
I understand that people deranged by Hillary Clinton need to drag her into everything but this is a reach of epic proportions.
4
I won't allow anyone access to my personal cellphone.
Now will I allow a police officer into my house.
I have nothing to hide, but you need a warrant to search my property.
Now will I allow a police officer into my house.
I have nothing to hide, but you need a warrant to search my property.
58
you think the nsa needs a warrant to search your phone?
4
NFL players are contractually required to cooperate with league investigations. The NFL can search their cellphones, their homes, their cars, and anything else they have good reason to search. Only the government is bound by the 4th Amendment. So all of Brady's private belongings were equally subject to search by the league without a warrant.
3
no-one ever ASKED for access to his personal cellphone... it didn't happen. read the facts of the story.
2
Is this the same reporter who broke the Hillary Clinton email prosecution story?
15
"His destroyed-cellphone defense calls to mind Richard Nixon..."
Get a grip, sir.
Get a grip, sir.
80
Please, be up to date, it calls to mind Hillary Clinton
There's no concrete evidence that the game balls were deflated. The investigation was in my opinion, a joke. Speculation and circumstantial evidence along with a shoddy investigation is all the NFL has to work with. Brady will end up receiving no punishment as there is no evidence of him or anyone else actually committing a crime. I am going to quit watching football. I'll start watching hockey instead.
48
Please go ahead and watch Hockey. You must be a New England fan, so warped and twisted to think nothing untoward occurred here. No innocent person will make such lengthy attempts to obfuscate or hide the truth. Why all the lawyers if you are innocent? Please, go root for the cheaters.
New York Yankee and Giants fan.
New York Yankee and Giants fan.
2
Don't let the door hit ur sorry sad behind on the way out
1
No concrete evidence, other than the game balls were weighed and air pressures checked. Speaking of concrete, ol' Tom should have went to Lowes, bought a bag of quick set, and put that phone in the middle of forty pounds of it and then sent it to the bottom of Boston Harbor. I think that Tom actually might have been okay if he hadn't have destroyed the cell phone. That just reinforced suspicions.
2
I have to give a lot of credit to Mr. Gooddell for doing the right thing. The real stinkers here are, Tom Brady, Bill Bellichick, and the NFL Player's Union. Since when do multimillionaires need a union, but the way? Having problems their mansion and yacht payments? And just because the guy is a stinker and player doesn't mean you have to put your own rep on the line for him. He tarnishes the sport. I sure miss the days of Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas...
112
I'd agree but the sport tarnishes itself pretty well even without deflate-gate.
8
And just look what happened to Johnny Unitas WITHOUT a union.
1
The have a union to stand up to the multi-billionaire owners.
1
I'm sorry, I'm not giving my phone to anyone for any reason, and I'm not legally required to do so, for any reason, to anyone. And I have nothing to hide.
93
I agree with you but what you suggest didn't happen. Here's how it went down.
Ted Wells did not ask for Brady's phone. He asked Brady's lawyer to search it and hand over any relevant texts. Wells said whatever the result of that search by the Brady team, he would take their word for it.
Your selective outrage is showing.
Ted Wells did not ask for Brady's phone. He asked Brady's lawyer to search it and hand over any relevant texts. Wells said whatever the result of that search by the Brady team, he would take their word for it.
Your selective outrage is showing.
10
If it was part of an investigation and might be subpoenaed?
2
Besides, "what difference does it make?"
Maybe Brady was hiding a lot more than texts about deflated footballs on his phone? (Think Brett Favre here.)
76
I am so tired of people telling me how sports teaches fair play, teamwork and courage. I see a bully with a substantial amount of life's advantages, sacrificing his assistants and others to cover up his cheating during a game.
372
Completely agree with you, it's shameless what Alex Rodriguez has done, isn't it?
3
JoeB, what's the evidence he cheated?
I see a bully with a substantial amount of life's advantages, abusing his power to slander and defame one of the greatest ever, without a shred of hard evidence, because he has 31 other teams that can't handle the fact that another team consistently outplays them.
I see a bully with a substantial amount of life's advantages, abusing his power to slander and defame one of the greatest ever, without a shred of hard evidence, because he has 31 other teams that can't handle the fact that another team consistently outplays them.
2
How did Brady "sacrifice his assistants"? He had his old phone disposed of as he had other prior phones disposed of because he is a celebrity. He has publicly supported the equipment staff saying they did nothing wrong. So your statement that he "sacrificed his assistants" is just you making it up. "I'm so tired of people" doing that.
1
Where there is smoke there is fire. I can't wait for the Brady and Pats supporters to chime in and come up with another theory on what happened to the phone.
45
rdd... Maybe Scotty beamed it aboard by mistake. Calling Capt. Kirk...
Roger sat on it, so go figure out where it is.
You wrote, “Where there is smoke there is fire."
That assumption is wantonly reckless. I have been wrongly persecuted by a spiteful mob of gossipers spouting "where there is smoke there is fire." The affect was ruinous.
You could easily be the next victim. When it happens to you, equanimity and compassion sprout, and you begin to see it happening to others quite often.
"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee,” Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, by John Donne.
That assumption is wantonly reckless. I have been wrongly persecuted by a spiteful mob of gossipers spouting "where there is smoke there is fire." The affect was ruinous.
You could easily be the next victim. When it happens to you, equanimity and compassion sprout, and you begin to see it happening to others quite often.
"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee,” Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, by John Donne.
" we learn that Brady possessed a piece of evidence that almost certainly would have loomed as conclusive"
you don't know that it would be conclusive; any more than the pressure measurements could be conclusive as the data elements were not measured under similar conditions nor were all the Colts' footballs measured - both Wells and Brady's data are incomplete.
The only true measurement is the fees the lawyers are receiving.
you don't know that it would be conclusive; any more than the pressure measurements could be conclusive as the data elements were not measured under similar conditions nor were all the Colts' footballs measured - both Wells and Brady's data are incomplete.
The only true measurement is the fees the lawyers are receiving.
61
Margot Hintlian, you are 100% correct.
We do NOT know that the cell phone data would have been conclusive, one way or the other.
Mr. Brady saw to that!
We do NOT know that the cell phone data would have been conclusive, one way or the other.
Mr. Brady saw to that!
2
And they had the cell phones of both of the ball handlers, so they had absolutely NO need for Brady's cell phone. THIS is just Goodell's excuse to cover his butt for the 4 game suspension.
2
This is all about the "P" word...parity. The NFL has been pushing for parity for decades and yet the Patriots have had the most or tied for the most wins in their division for fourteen years in a row, won 6 AFC Championships and 4 Super Bowls. The other whiners...I mean owners, and their coaches and fans have been complaining about being out-coached and outplayed year after year, so the Pats have been under a spotlight with the league looking for anything to use to hobble them, losing a first round draft choice, not for filming signals, just for filming signals in the wrong place, something other teams were doing but no penalties for anyone other than the Patriots. And not only a penalty, but one greater than any other team had been given.
It's more of the same here. The NFL can't even make a case that anything nefarious even happened, Michael Powell's admitted ignorance of basic physics notwithstanding. The pressure in the balls were never logged in, the officials didn't notice underinflated balls on the field and the only ball that was borderline was taken to the opposing sideline (and we've all heard the story of the long snapper who brought a paper clip on the field to deflate the football, why not an opponent looking to point the finger...?)
Comparing Brady destroying his own phone to protect his, his family and anyone else in his phone's privacy as well as his personal business to Nixon destroying tapes owned and made with government funds? Ridiculous.
It's more of the same here. The NFL can't even make a case that anything nefarious even happened, Michael Powell's admitted ignorance of basic physics notwithstanding. The pressure in the balls were never logged in, the officials didn't notice underinflated balls on the field and the only ball that was borderline was taken to the opposing sideline (and we've all heard the story of the long snapper who brought a paper clip on the field to deflate the football, why not an opponent looking to point the finger...?)
Comparing Brady destroying his own phone to protect his, his family and anyone else in his phone's privacy as well as his personal business to Nixon destroying tapes owned and made with government funds? Ridiculous.
67
MJH... You really believe that Brady was just protecting his family by destroying his cell phone? Really? If so, his timing was very suspicious, and convenient. I agree, though, that comparing Brady to Nixon is a bit ridiculous, just because Nixon's actions nearly caused a Constitutional crisis, whereas Brady's actions probably have caused an economic crisis in Boston, as fans are too busy posting defenses of a football player to get enough sleep and concentrate properly on their jobs.
It's only four games, and besides, Brady gets to come back against our Colts, which means, given past history and properly inflated footballs, he will probably throw a half-dozen TDs in the first half alone. the game probably will be sponsored by Verizon with Brady doing a bunch of commercials.
It's only four games, and besides, Brady gets to come back against our Colts, which means, given past history and properly inflated footballs, he will probably throw a half-dozen TDs in the first half alone. the game probably will be sponsored by Verizon with Brady doing a bunch of commercials.
1
Wow....given your location....it's like predicting which way Scalia will vote on the ACA.
Finally a comment from someone who possesses the facts! It is my opinion that what Brady is doing is a gambit to exonerate both the team, coach Belichick and himself, so that their will be no stains on any of their public images for anything that the team has done in the last 14 years, after this is tried in an actual court of law.
News of Tom Brady's destruction of his cell phone coincides with a report that 98% of Patriots fans will continue to chew broken glass rather than admit that he cheated and lied.
228
Four game suspension? What a laugh! Just another cheater who got caught. No wonder it is called "professional" sport - the really accomplished cheaters have become quite good at it. He should have been banned for life...............
2
I disagree, they will chew barbed wire while walking barefoot on broken glass.
4
It also coincides with fans of the 31 other teams conveniently forgetting that there wasn't any evidence that the balls were deflated in the first place. Now, however, there is some juicy gossip about a missing cell phone that may or may not have had information related to an incident that was never shown to happen.
5
What man, if he is assured that no one will ever find out, wouldn't take an edge in a competitive professional sport? Or for that matter any other facet of this flawed life? From my perspective everybody seems to be looking for that edge. Tom Brady, you are not alone! Regrettably, you got caught and now must "pay the piper."
3
Regrettably? If all professional sports people are looking for an edge, i.e. a way to CHEAT, then why watch? More importantly, it is the condoning of behavior like this that corrupts everyone involved, including fans. It's reprehensible and Brady deserves to be very publicly punished.
35
Wait. You're suggesting that all "men" cheat if they think they won't get caught? And that it's "regrettable" if they do get caught? Wow.
25
That says something, doesn't it? And, I don't think it's good.
9
Say it ain't so Tom! Why did you?
:(
:(
6
Well, he didn't do it for nothing, did he? It gave him an advantage. It gave his running backs an advantage. It gave the Patriots an advantage.
And it had been going on for a long time.
And it had been going on for a long time.
3
Come on, who doesn't destroy their mobile every 4 months?
184
Didn't a US Senator just go and do
the same thing with a bat?
the same thing with a bat?
Is that like having a "personal" server to handle the most-sensitive information at U.S. Dept. of State?
Res ipsa.
Res ipsa.
3
My husband doesn't and I don't.
Are you being sarcastic or do people really do such a dumb and expensive thing?
Are you being sarcastic or do people really do such a dumb and expensive thing?