After hearing from just about everyone in New England and beyond with their take on the Deflategate scandal, the NFL has finally released a statement.
NBC Sports noted that the NFL issued a statement Friday afternoon on the state of its investigation.
“The investigation began promptly on Sunday night,” the league statement read. “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 Deflategate allegations and investigation into whether or not the Pats used underinflated footballs stems from the AFC Championship Game played against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.
As previously reported, the Colts first noticed something wasn’t right with a Patriots’ game ball after linebacker D’Qwell Jackson caught an interception. He spoke to an equipment staffer about it and the information was then passed up the chain of command and eventually to the director of football operations Mike Kensil.
On Thursday, New England’s head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady said that they had knowledge of the game balls being underinflated. Many though have questioned the quarterback’s story since he was obviously handling those footballs.
No matter who knew or didn’t know though, this is seen as another black eye for a team that is playing in Super Bowl XLIX in just over one week. And, unfortunately, this story does not seem to be going away anytime soon and could be the biggest headline going into that game.