New England Patriots staffers intentionally broke NFL rules by releasing air from AFC Championship game balls, and star quarterback Tom Brady was “generally aware” of the violation, an official report released Wednesday concluded.
“Based on the evidence developed in connection with the investigation and summarized in this Report, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the NFL Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate attempt to circumvent those rules,” lawyer Ted Wells wrote in his report for the NFL.
“Based on the evidence, we also have concluded that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.