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Deflategate Report Finds it Probable that Patriots Deflated Footballs, Tom Brady Was Aware

The Ted Wells report on deflategate was released today, and it found it probable that the Patriots deflated footballs and that Tom Brady was aware of it.

By Josh Wilson
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

At long last, the Ted Wells report on "deflategate" has arrived.

You can read the entire 243-page PDF here, but if you just want the short version, here's a nice summery of it from the Wells report:

"For the reasons described in this Report, and after a comprehensive investigation, we have concluded that, in connection with the AFC Championship Game, it is 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.  In particular, we have concluded that 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."

Furthermore, the report concluded this:

"Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls."

Basically, the report cleared Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, and any other Patriots' executive or coach from any wrongdoing.  Not every member of the Patriots was cleared, however, as this is a very bad look for quarterback Tom Brady.  Not only did the report conclude that Brady was at least aware of what was going on, it also gives the implication that the investigators think that the quarterback lied to them:

Furthermore, the report states that Brady declined to turn over phone records, text messages, or emails to the investigation.

There's a lot to sort through in this report, and keep in mind that Ted Wells doesn't have the power to hand out discipline.  His job was to report on his findings, turn it over to the league, and then the NFL's Troy Vincent will determine what, if any, punishment is necessary.  According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL is considering discipline for McNally, Jastremski, and Brady.

Ultimately, it looks like the Patriots' management and coaching staff is in the clear.  Tom Brady, though?  Not so much.  It's not a good look at all for the Patriots' quarterback.

UPDATE: And then there's this, too:

UPDATE: Here are the members of the Colts' organization who were interviewed for the investigation: Ryan Grigson (general manager), Danny Harlow (ball boy), Kyle James (ball boy), Jack Osborne (security representative), Brian Seabrooks (assistant equipment manager), and Jon Scott (vice president of equipment operations).

UPDATE: And this, which is part of an email Ryan Grigson sent to the NFL the week before the AFC Championship game:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Part of Colts GM Ryan Grigson&#39;s email to the league before the title game ... <a href="http://t.co/nI93zPK9YB">pic.twitter.com/nI93zPK9YB</a></p>&mdash; Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/596012311803887616">May 6, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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