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Closing Bell

Wells Report Finds Patriots Staffers Likely Deflated Game Balls

The NFL’s long awaited “Deflategate” report found two Patriots personnel more likely than not deflated footballs before the AFC Championship game in violation of league playing rules. And in perhaps the most shocking element of the report released this afternoon, investigator Ted Wells wrote that QB Tom Brady likely was aware of the activity. Wells wrote it is “more probable than not” that Brady “was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities” of Patriots staffers Jim McNally and John Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls. Brady in a January press conference roundly denied knowing how the balls came to be underinflated. Team Owner Bob Kraft, who along with coach Bill Belichick is not fingered in the report, rejected the findings in a statement.

“This absence of a credible scientific explanation for the Patriots halftime measurements tends to support a finding that human intervention may account for the additional loss of pressure exhibited by the Patriots balls,” Wells wrote. The report concluded it is "more probable than not that McNally and Jastremski participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were tested by the game officials." Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement said that NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent would be responsible for any discipline.

Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel tweeted, “Many complaints about length of Wells investigation, but it is so thorough it limits the Patriots ability to counter the conclusions.” Veteran NFL exec Joe Banner: “In Atlanta a person who didn't know anything was held accountable, in Cleveland only the person involved was punished. In NE we will see.” ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted, “NFL standard of proof probably closer to parental than an actual legal system: ‘So you've got chocolate on hands… Cookie jar open… Busted.’” L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke: "Patriots still win Super Bowl without Ballghazi. But how can anyone ever look at Brady the same? The loss is in his legacy." “Late Show” Exec Producer Eric Stangel: “The biggest shock of the #DeflateGate findings is that they weren't released at 7pm on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.”

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