Tom Brady Presser: 'I Have No Knowledge Of Any Wrongdoing'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On Thursday afternoon, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady addressed the media to talk about what he knew regarding the "DeflateGate," scandal that has befallen the team. As the Patriots prepare to take on the Seahawks for the league's championship, the team has been forced to answer some questions regarding the under inflated footballs that they used in the AFC Championship game.
Brady made it clear that he knew nothing about how the footballs would have been deflated to a point under the league minimum following approval from the officials.
"I have no knowledge of any wrong doing," Brady said when asked whether or not it was possible that a staff member could have tampered with the footballs prior to kickoff.
Brady also plays a role in the pre-game handling of the footballs. He will handle the footballs himself prior to the game and select the ones that he likes to be submitted to the officials for approval.
"When I felt [the footballs] they were perfect," Brady told the members of the press.
When asked whether or not the footballs continued to feel perfect as the game was being played, Brady explained that that is not something that he is focused on enough to notice.
"Once I'm playing, I have no thought of the football at that point," Brady said.
With the NFL investigation ongoing, there is now a cloud surrounding the Patriots in regard to their character and integrity as an organization. The word "cheater," came up a number of times during the Thursday afternoon press conference.
Brady responded by saying "I felt like we won the game fair and square," in reference to the AFC Championship and whether the deflated footballs gave the Patriots a competitive advantage over the Colts.
The Patriots leader emphasized that he was upset about how this incident was casting a shadow over his team.
"I don't like that this is taking away from the accomplishments of the team," Brady said.
Brady wrapped up his press conference with a comparison saying "This isn't ISIS. No one is dying."