NFL makes statement about deflate-gate investigation

The NFL has been strangely quiet this week, as a major controversy swirls.

Aside from spokesmen confirming that an investigation was going on, there hadn't been much word from the NFL about deflate-gate this week, which really isn't the transparent NFL that commissioner Roger Goodell promised us. Reports have trickled out about how many footballs the New England Patriots used were under-inflated in the first half of the AFC championship game and what steps the officials took during the game, but the league has been quiet.

The NFL broke its silence on Friday afternoon, and said practically nothing. It said there is an investigation and "evidence thus far supports the conclusion that footballs that were under-inflated were used by the Patriots in the first half," which we knew. It said it will be led by NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash and Ted Wells of the law firm of Paul Weiss (Wells ran the Dolphins' bullying scandal investigation), which isn't important information to most fans. The NFL has talked to 40 people (but apparently not Tom Brady), but gave minimal details on what it was told. The league did say the officials inspected the Patriots' footballs before the game per the rules and they were compliant with the rules, which clears up that key point.

But mostly the NFL put out a long-winded statement that tells us almost nothing other than that it's looking into it and to sit tight. Not any specifics on what the air pressure of the footballs were or any tests it's done or the results of any interviews. That's not helping build up trust in the NFL again. Maybe it would hurt the investigation to release more of the details it knows already (and if you've done 40 interviews and tested the Patriots' footballs at some point after the first half you know something more than telling us Pash and Wells are on the case and will let us know), but it would be nice to get more than this statement more than four days after the news first broke from the league that wants to be known for transparency.

 

Here's what the league released in its statement:

 

"Our office has been conducting an investigation as to whether the footballs used in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game complied with the specifications that are set forth in the playing rules. The investigation began based on information that suggested that the game balls used by the New England Patriots were not properly inflated to levels required by the playing rules, specifically Playing Rule 2, Section 1, which requires that the ball be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday’s game.

"The investigation is being led jointly by NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash and Ted Wells of the law firm of Paul Weiss. Mr. Wells and his firm bring additional expertise and a valuable independent perspective. The investigation began promptly on Sunday night. Over the past several days, nearly 40 interviews have been conducted, including of Patriots personnel, game officials, and third parties with relevant information and expertise. We have obtained and are continuing to obtain additional information, including video and other electronic information and physical evidence. We have retained Renaissance Associates, an investigatory firm with sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in reviewing electronic and video information.

"The playing rules are intended to protect the fairness and integrity of our games. We take seriously claims that those rules have been violated and will fully investigate this matter without compromise or delay. The investigation is ongoing, will be thorough and objective, and is being pursued expeditiously. In the coming days, we expect to conduct numerous additional interviews, examine video and other forensic evidence, as well as relevant physical evidence. While the evidence thus far supports the conclusion that footballs that were under-inflated were used by the Patriots in the first half, the footballs were properly inflated for the second half and confirmed at the conclusion of the game to have remained properly inflated. The goals of the investigation will be to determine the explanation for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the playing rules and specifically whether any noncompliance was the result of deliberate action. We have not made any judgments on these points and will not do so until we have concluded our investigation and considered all of the relevant evidence.

"Upon being advised of the investigation, the Patriots promptly pledged their full cooperation and have made their personnel and other information available to us upon request. Our investigation will seek information from any and all relevant sources and we expect full cooperation from other clubs as well. As we develop more information and are in a position to reach conclusions, we will share them publicly."