The Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game. During the game, the Colts believed that Brady and the Patriots were using footballs that were improperly deflated. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Ted Wells, the NFL’s lead investigator in the “Deflategate” scandal will be present Tuesday when New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeals his four-game suspension.
Wells authored a report that commissioner Roger Goodell relied on when he issued the suspension and corresponding punishment for the New England organization.
The Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game. During the game, the Colts believed that Brady and the Patriots were using footballs that were improperly deflated.
An investigation ensued and Wells discovered it was “more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate effort to circumvent the rules.”
Wells is expected to argue the American Enterprise Institute report, which concluded Wells’ report lacked merit.
“The Wells report conclusions are likely incorrect, and a simple misunderstanding appears to have led the NFL to these incorrect conclusions,” the AEI report said. The trio of authors from AEI also wrote that the Wells report ignores the “straightforward physics” that “fully” explains the discrepancy in air pressure levels between the Patriots’ and Colts’ footballs.
It is unclear who else will attend the hearing.
