Roger Goodell Stands Firm On Integrity Of 'DeflateGate' Investigation
PHOENIX (CBS) -- One day after NFL VP of officiating Dean Blandino exposed holes in the investigation into the Patriots' use of deflated footballs, league commissioner Roger Goodell staunchly defended the integrity of the league-sponsored probe.
"We take seriously anything that potentially impacts the integrity of the game," Goodell said. "We are focusing principally on two questions: Why were some footballs used in the game that were not in compliance with the rules, and was this the result of deliberate action?"
Despite the investigation and the two weeks of intense media coverage, Goodell stressed that no conclusion has been reached by the NFL.
"I want to emphasize, we have made no judgments on these points," Goodell said, "and we will not compromise the investigation by engaging in speculation."
Goodell said that the details of Ted Wells' report will be made public as soon as it is completed. Regarding that report, Goodell denied the existence of a credibility gap, considering the report is paid for by the NFL.
"I don't agree with you ... I think we have hired people who have uncompromising integrity," Goodell said of Wells on "DeflateGate" and Robert Mueller in the Ray Rice report. "Their integrity is impeccable. ... Their conclusions are drawn only by the evidence and only by the attempt to identify that truth."
On Thursday, Blandino revealed that the records of the exact PSI on footballs were not recorded. Rather, referee Walt Anderson merely tested the footballs, and if their air pressure measured lower than the standard laid out by the rulebook, the footballs were pumped with more air. The lack of a record of the PSI in the footballs would seem to indicate that the league will have a difficult -- if not impossible -- time proving anything at all about the handling of footballs during the AFC Championship Game.
Goodell was asked Friday if footballs had ever been tested at halftime prior to this year's AFC Championship Game.
"I don't know the answer to that question," Goodell stated. "That would be something I presume that Ted Wells will look into, and we'll provide that information."
Goodell also faced a number of questions about his relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who on Monday sternly demanded an apology from the NFL if its investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The commissioner offered little in the way of reaction regarding Kraft's comments.
"My thoughts are -- this is my job. This is my responsibility to respect the integrity of the game," Goodell said. "I represent 32 teams. All of us want to make sure that the rules are being followed. And if we have any information that the potential is that those rules were violated, I have to pursue that and I have to pursue that aggressively. So this is my job, and this is the job of the league office. ... We will do it vigorously, and it is important for it to be thorough and fair."
The Goodell-Kraft relationship also came under the microscope this week when outspoken Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman called into question the commissioner's ability to fairly assess and punish the Patriots. Goodell was asked about Sherman's comments and seemed to indicate that his relationship with Kraft is not unlike any relationship with any of the NFL's owners.
"It's not unusual that I work very closely with ownership, particularly someone like Robert Kraft, who serves on multiple committees," Goodell said. "Professionally, I have a relationship with him, and I also admire, respect and think very highly of him on a personal level. There's no hiding, from that standpoint.But since he knows me so well and he knows that I'm not going to do anything to compromise the integrity of the league, I think he has no doubt that I will do the right thing for the NFL."
Regarding his being photographed at Kraft's house during a party prior to the AFC Championship Game, Goodell said he will continue to attend such events for the league.
"I was at the Kraft's residence along with season-ticket holders, sponsors, and media partners the night before as part of an AFC championship party. That's part of what we do," Goodell said. "I was there to participate in a program with our partner CBS, taking questions from the audience. It's something that I do on a regular basis. It's not unusual."
Much like it was resurfaced during the unfolding of the Ray Rice situation, Goodell's "BountyGate" line of "ignorance is no excuse" was mentioned. Goodell said that Sean Payton was warned of potential wrongdoing in the Saints football operations one year prior to evidence being founded, hence the heavy punishment levied on the head coach.
Goodell indicated that no such history exists with the Patriots and deflated footballs.
"We don't know enough in this investigation to know who was responsible or even if there was an infraction," he said.
After a trying year as the face of the NFL, Goodell said there's no scenario he can envision that would lead him to resigning from his job, and he spoke of the ongoing investigation of the Patriots in simplest terms possible.
"We want the truth. That's what I think our fans want, that's what our clubs want, and so what we want to do is make sure we find that truth," Goodell said. "If there are violations of the rules, we take them seriously, particularly when they relate to the integrity of the game and the rules. The standards will always be evaluated. ... That's important for us to do as we continue to make sure that the league is run in an appropriate way and with the right integrity."
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