An outside investigation for the NFL of the infamous “deflate-gate” scandal — in which the Patriots were accused of deflating footballs in a playoff game — says the team probably engaged in deliberate violations of league rules, according to ABC News. The investigation, led by attorney Ted Wells, said that it “is more than probable” that Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady “was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities.”
Other investigative findings exonerate Coach Bill Belichick and the head equipment manager while implicating Jim McNally, a locker room attendant. McNally had suspiciously taken footballs from the locker into the bathroom for a minute and forty seconds. According to the report McNally has referred to himself in several text messages as the “deflator.”
The NFL said it is considering “what steps to take in light of the report, both with respect to possible disciplinary action and to any changes in protocols that are necessary to avoid future incidents of this type.”
Update: USA Today's For The Win section is making the report its top story, under a blunt headline: "Tom Brady and the New England Patriots cheated their way to a Super Bowl."
