New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was “at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities” of a locker room attendant and an equipment assistant in the controversy known as “Deflategate,” according to an NFL report released Wednesday.
The report found “that it is more probable than not that” the locker-room attendant and equipment assistant “participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee” during January’s AFC title game between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts.
“Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities… involving the release of air from Patriots game balls,” the report, prepared by attorney Ted Wells, said.
The Patriots beat the Colts in the AFC title game and went on to win the Super Bowl.
The report absolved other Patriots players, coaches and staffers as well as the team’s owner.