Patriots Equipment Manager Didn’t Deflate On His Own

According to the Wells report, there’s no smoking gun or clear evidence that Tom Brady had his equipment manager deflate the footballs before the game.  The report does say that it’s more probable than not that Brady knew what was going on.

In my opinion, there’s no doubt that Brady knew.  There’ no way in the world that equipment assistant John Jastremski and Jim McNally, a game-day employee who serves as the officials locker room attendant, would decide to deflate the footballs on their own. Do you think these guys would put their jobs on the line by doing something they weren’t asked to do?

Check out this emails between Brady and the equipment assistant Jastremski.

9:51 a.m.: Brady texts Jastremski checking up on him. Jastremski says he’s “still nervous:”

Brady (9:51 a.m.): You good Jonny boy?

Jastremski (9:53 a.m.): Still nervous; so far so good though. I’ll be alright

Brady (9:54 a.m.): You didn’t do anything wrong bud.

Jastremski (9:55 a.m.): I know; I’ll be all good

Here are more texts later in the morning.

Jastremski (10:54 a.m.): FYI…Dave will be picking your brain later about it. He’s not accusing me, or anyone…trying to get to bottom of it. He knows it’s unrealistic you did it yourself…

Jastremski (10:55 a.m.): Just a heads up

Brady (10:59 a.m.): No worries bud. We are all good

There were more text messages and phone calls between the two.

In my time in the NFL, there were three guys on the team who always cared about the condition of the footballs.  One of those guys was the kicker.  Another of those guys was the punter.  And the number one guy, who was always obsessed with the footballs was the quarterback.  If an NFL equipment manager wants to keep his job, he knows he must keep the star quarterback happy.

I think they should suspend Brady for a couple of games and give him a stiff fine.  That’s the honorable thing to do.