Deflategate Report Suggests Patriots QB Tom Brady Knew about the Tampering

The investigation into Deflategate has cleared New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick but not quarterback Tom Brady.

According to the results of the investigation, Brady "was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" conducted by two team employees. These activities lead to the Deflategate scandal, which involved the use of deflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, which is illegal.

The report, released by attorney Ted Wells, also stated that "it is more probable than not that Jim McNally and John Jastremski participated in a deliberate plan to circumvent the rules by releasing air from Patriots game balls."

The investigation found several text messages between McNally and Jastremski. After the divisional playoff win against the Baltimore Ravens, the investigators found that Brady and McNally texted each other more frequently as well.

Although there is not that much evidence directly linking Brady to the "tampering activities," the investigators "do not believe that they [McNally and Jastremski] would personally and unilaterally engage in such conduct in the absence of Brady's awareness and consent."

The Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement immediately after the report on Wednesday. Kraft's response stated that the Patriots are disappointed by the lack of "any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation of footballs."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent and his team would decide on what action to take in light of this report.