Texans Owner Bob McNair Blames Patriots, Brady For Escalating DeflateGate
BOSTON (CBS) -- According to Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, the seven-month long saga known as DeflateGate would have never risen to "scandal" status if the Patriots had just played nice from the start.
McNair, speaking to SportsRadio610 in Houston, said that Texans star J.J. Watt would never have destroyed his cell phone during an investigation, so the Houston organization would never be in the same sticky situation as the Patriots are right now.
"What escalated the whole thing is that Brady and the Patriots were going to cooperate fully, and then when it came down to it, they didn't"
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) September 1, 2015
"If it was JJ Watt I think he would have been cooperative, and it wouldn't be a question...I don't think JJ would destroy his cell phone" BM
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) September 1, 2015
What's more, McNair stated plainly that there is no conclusive evidence that proves anything that violated NFL rules took place the night of the AFC Championship Game. However, McNair seems to have zero doubt that the Patriots are guilty.
"Is there anything conclusive there? No, you don't have any conclusive evidence, but the whole idea is we want to make sure we have.." (1/2)
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) September 1, 2015
"..A competitive playing field that's level for everybody...we don't want people breaking the rules." (2/2) McNair on Texans Radio
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) September 1, 2015
"In the minds of somebody in that organization, they thought it was important. They thought it would give them a competitive..." (1/2)
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) September 1, 2015
"...Advantage, and that's why they did it...You just want to eliminate that kind of situation if you can." (2/2) Bob McNair on Texans Radio
— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) September 1, 2015
"That's why they did it."
Once again, this is a fellow owner for whom Robert Kraft was assumed to have fallen on his sword, all for the greater good of the league, the "partnership of the 32," and so on and so forth. But instead of a unified front, all Kraft might have guaranteed is a future with some icy, awkward interactions at future meetings among owners.