Bill Belichick On Deflated Football Accusations: Patriots Will Cooperate With NFL's Investigation
BOSTON (CBS) -- Coming off the most lopsided playoff win in his career -- a 45-7 thumping of the Colts in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday -- Bill Belichick awoke to a story he likely did not anticipate.
The NFL, according to reports, was investigating whether the footballs used by the Patriots were not inflated with the proper amount of air.
"DeflateGate," as it quickly became known, developed into a national story, and on Monday afternoon, Belichick was asked about the situation. The coach said the team will cooperate with the league in any way that is requested.
"We'll cooperate fully with whatever the league wants us to [do], whatever questions they ask us," Belichick said on his Monday conference call with reporters. "I didn't know anything about it until this morning."
When asked if he was "amused" by the discussion, the coach's answer seemed to indicate he was not.
"Um, excuse me?" he said. "You're asking the questions, and I'm just trying to answer them."
When asked once more by a national reporter whether the Patriots did indeed use deflated footballs, Belichick shot back, "I just said, the first I heard about it was this morning. Whatever we need from the league, then that's what we'll do."
Tom Brady threw for 226 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the win over Indianapolis, while LeGarrette Blount gained 148 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground.
The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.