Palm Beach Pats Fan
Pro Bowl Player
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- Joined
- Jan 31, 2008
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Lawyers always want their clients to say as little as possible. Nothing is even better! He shouldn't do a Q&A, but a statement outlining his innocence would be very helpful, I think. it would sure make all of us supporters feel more at ease.
Here's my attempt at being his statement writer:
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A day after the Wells Report was issued I was asked to comment on its conclusions. At that time I declined, promising that I would have more to say in the future. At this time I wish to issue a few brief remarks. I will not go into every detail and will not answer questions at this time, based upon advice from the NFLPA, whose attorneys are handling my appeal.
First, it has been concluded by Troy Vincent, and accepted by many people, that I personally requested that footballs be illegally deflated prior to the AFC championship game, after they were certified by the referee. This allegation is completely false. I did not direct or encourage any person to adjust the football pressure below the legal lower limit or to otherwise tamper with certified footballs. If the footballs were tampered with, it was without my knowledge or consent.
Second, I understand that scientifically it is not clear whether any air was in fact removed from the footballs, by anyone. I am not a scientist, but I am told that the actual data is consistent with the conclusion that the measured drops in pressure was caused solely by the game day weather conditions. I did not notice that the footballs differed from how they had felt during the pregame selection of the game footballs, other than the effect of a cold and often heavy rain. To my knowledge, no tampering occurred.
Third, as part of pregame preparations I select the footballs to be used as game balls and backups. My selection is based upon the overall feel. I consider the texture of the leather surface, the quality of the laces, and the absence of the slick coating that is present on brand new footballs. The footballs that I inspect are always, to my understanding, already set to a legal pressure. Thus air pressure is not something that I even consider when I am picking the game footballs. After I select footballs to be used in the game I certainly do not want anyone to change them at all.
Fourth, it has been suggested that I was uncooperative during Mr. Wells’ investigation. This allegation is also false. I was available for an all-day interview and answered all of the questions that were asked of me, honestly and to the best of my ability. This may not be clear from the Wells Report, which hardly mentions my testimony. I also answered all questions asked about my texts and conversations with the two men who have been accused of being involved in this matter. I have nothing to hide, since I did not request that inspected game day footballs be altered. I was also asked to provide extensive cell phone records, not just for the period up to and following the AFC championship game, but extending back into previous seasons. Mr. Wells did not have subpoena power to request such personal and sensitive information. I am advised that sharing such information on demand is not specified in the current NFL collective bargaining agreement and is not a legal requirement. Moreover, it would set a bad precedent if every union member were obliged upon demand to share personal and sensitive information with legal representatives of management. Finally, it was certainly not clear to me that such personal information, if provided, would truly be handled with complete confidentiality. This entire controversy has been shaped in part by various untrue leaks that were attributed to unnamed “NFL sources”.
Fifth, you are all aware that Mr. Kraft has decided not to challenge the penalties issued to the Patriots by the league office. I understand that his acceptance of the punishments in no way indicates an endorsement of either the opinions expressed in the Wells Report or the punishments that were given. The NFLPA and I, however, will not accept the unjust penalties that have been given to me. The allegation that I ordered that certified footballs be deflated below legal limits is completely false. Even the allegation of the Wells Report that I was “generally aware, more likely than not” of such efforts is untrue.
The NFLPA and I have requested that the facts of the case, and the harsh and unjust penalties given to me, be reconsidered by a truly independent authority. We have requested that Mr. Goodell recuse himself from this appeal. An independent authority who fairly considers all of the information, without bias, will conclude that I had no involvement with any effort to tamper with the footballs that were used in the AFC championship game.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tom Brady
Here's my attempt at being his statement writer:
-----------
A day after the Wells Report was issued I was asked to comment on its conclusions. At that time I declined, promising that I would have more to say in the future. At this time I wish to issue a few brief remarks. I will not go into every detail and will not answer questions at this time, based upon advice from the NFLPA, whose attorneys are handling my appeal.
First, it has been concluded by Troy Vincent, and accepted by many people, that I personally requested that footballs be illegally deflated prior to the AFC championship game, after they were certified by the referee. This allegation is completely false. I did not direct or encourage any person to adjust the football pressure below the legal lower limit or to otherwise tamper with certified footballs. If the footballs were tampered with, it was without my knowledge or consent.
Second, I understand that scientifically it is not clear whether any air was in fact removed from the footballs, by anyone. I am not a scientist, but I am told that the actual data is consistent with the conclusion that the measured drops in pressure was caused solely by the game day weather conditions. I did not notice that the footballs differed from how they had felt during the pregame selection of the game footballs, other than the effect of a cold and often heavy rain. To my knowledge, no tampering occurred.
Third, as part of pregame preparations I select the footballs to be used as game balls and backups. My selection is based upon the overall feel. I consider the texture of the leather surface, the quality of the laces, and the absence of the slick coating that is present on brand new footballs. The footballs that I inspect are always, to my understanding, already set to a legal pressure. Thus air pressure is not something that I even consider when I am picking the game footballs. After I select footballs to be used in the game I certainly do not want anyone to change them at all.
Fourth, it has been suggested that I was uncooperative during Mr. Wells’ investigation. This allegation is also false. I was available for an all-day interview and answered all of the questions that were asked of me, honestly and to the best of my ability. This may not be clear from the Wells Report, which hardly mentions my testimony. I also answered all questions asked about my texts and conversations with the two men who have been accused of being involved in this matter. I have nothing to hide, since I did not request that inspected game day footballs be altered. I was also asked to provide extensive cell phone records, not just for the period up to and following the AFC championship game, but extending back into previous seasons. Mr. Wells did not have subpoena power to request such personal and sensitive information. I am advised that sharing such information on demand is not specified in the current NFL collective bargaining agreement and is not a legal requirement. Moreover, it would set a bad precedent if every union member were obliged upon demand to share personal and sensitive information with legal representatives of management. Finally, it was certainly not clear to me that such personal information, if provided, would truly be handled with complete confidentiality. This entire controversy has been shaped in part by various untrue leaks that were attributed to unnamed “NFL sources”.
Fifth, you are all aware that Mr. Kraft has decided not to challenge the penalties issued to the Patriots by the league office. I understand that his acceptance of the punishments in no way indicates an endorsement of either the opinions expressed in the Wells Report or the punishments that were given. The NFLPA and I, however, will not accept the unjust penalties that have been given to me. The allegation that I ordered that certified footballs be deflated below legal limits is completely false. Even the allegation of the Wells Report that I was “generally aware, more likely than not” of such efforts is untrue.
The NFLPA and I have requested that the facts of the case, and the harsh and unjust penalties given to me, be reconsidered by a truly independent authority. We have requested that Mr. Goodell recuse himself from this appeal. An independent authority who fairly considers all of the information, without bias, will conclude that I had no involvement with any effort to tamper with the footballs that were used in the AFC championship game.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tom Brady