Ted Wells 'Patriots' Report

The New England Patriots began a successful dynasty in 2001 with Tom Brady at quarterback and Bill Belichick as the coaching mastermind. Even though the pair have won five super bowl titles, prior to their fourth super bowl victory in 2014-2015, the Patriots were slammed by the Deflategate scandal. Following the AFC Championship matchup of the Colts and Patriots, the National Football League investigated the Patriots for deflating footballs. Star quarterback Tom Brady, employee John Jastremski, and officials locker room attendant Jim McNally were all primary targets of the investigation. The Patriots should have been found innocent of any wrongdoing due to a poor investigation and science showing that the footballs decreased in ball pressure

According to the report on NFL.com, "It is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots) and John Jastremski (an equipment assistant for the Patriots) participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee." The report also stated, “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." This investigation conducted by Ted Wells clearly lacked thorough evidence since Wells made vague claims throughout his report. These terms included “more probable than not” and “generally aware” when he made accusations. Although he is a well-respected and qualified lawyer, he accused Jim McNally, John Jastremski, and Tom Brady of wrongdoing based on a possibility of them being involved in deflating footballs without strong and clear evidence. By quickly accusing Patriot individuals of wrongdoing, the team suffered unnecessary consequences of losing Tom Brady for four games in 2016 to suspension, punishing Jim McNally and John Jastremski, and losing a 2015 first-round draft