New York--New England Patriots star Tom Brady was probably aware of a plot to deflate balls used in a key playoff game, an NFL probe ruled Wednesday, dealing a blow to the image of one of the most prominent athletes in American sport.
A National Football League investigation into the "Deflategate" affair found that it was "more probable than not" that Patriots employees had conspired to tamper with the pressure of balls in the team's AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, which they won 45-7.
The probe found that Brady -- who went on to lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks -- was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities."
It was not immediately clear what sanctions the NFL would take following the bombshell findings in the 243-page report, which named kit men John Jastremski and Jim McNally as the suspected architects of the plot.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick was exonerated in the report.
Brady, 37, a four-time Super Bowl winner who is married to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, had previously denied any involvement in ball tampering.
"I didn't alter the balls in any way," Brady said soon after the allegations aired. "I would never break the rules."
Deflating the pressure of match balls is believed to improve grip and seen as favoring a passing offense like the Patriots.
However the NFL probe noted that Brady turned in an improved performance in the second half of the Colts game after the deflated balls were re-inflated to the correct pressure, completing 12 of 14 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
AFP
