# Return of "Deflategate" **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 6, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401 "2015-05-06T17:33:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/461 "2015-08-21T16:52:40Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > They apologize for one specific unsubstantiated reports regarding Spygate: that the Pats were taping the Rams’ signals before Super Bowl XXXVI. Which, apparently, the Pats didn’t. _shrug_. I don’t know what ESPN reported, but it’s a fact that Rams players think they were videotaped and that if any evidence ever existed to support their claim, Roger Goodell burned it. But if they stated definitively that the Patriots taped the Rams practice, then yes that would be false. As for deflategate, I can’t help but think the judge is being kind of silly. He actually [suggested that another NFL owner be consulted](http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13477723/new-york-giants-john-mara-join-tom-brady-nfl-settlement-talks)to help reach a settlement. And the owner he apparently chose at random? John Mara, Giants owner. The Pats play Giants’ NFC East rival Cowboys in week 4, a game Brady would miss if the suspension is upheld. Hmm, would the Giants want the Cowboys to face a Patriots team with or without Tom Brady? As the linked article says, even John Mara himself thought this was a terrible idea and has agreed with the NFL to stay out of it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/462 "2015-09-03T14:32:12Z")
Judge overturns Brady suspension. Not much more to say that hasn’t been already said, but I’ll say it again, this whole thing was bullshit. There was nothing to this to but Patriot hatred. Too bad losers, we win again. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/463 "2015-09-03T14:36:24Z")
Well then. Good for him. I thought something was happening, it suddenly got dark outside from the simultaneous orgasms of every Patriots fan in America blotting out the sun. It’s good to be a Patriots fan today, knowing that they can operate with impunity. Congratulations in advance on winning Super Bowl 50. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/464 "2015-09-03T14:47:40Z")
Now, now, you can do a little better than that, can’t you? ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/465 "2015-09-03T15:05:43Z")
I was wondering how this thread and its participants were going to react. Say what you will about **ElvisL1ves** , he certainly is a vibrant character, but he stuck by his Patriots and Tom Brady throughout the whole mess. Even when things looked grim for the Patriots he stuck by them. His vindication is deserved, based on the facts and the outcome. The bottom line is a huge portion of the population thinks the Patriots cheated simply because the NFL said so. I was swayed by the Wells Report because I didn’t realize at first that it was full of BS. The facts don’t support the NFL’s position and the lying and manipulation and bullying by the NFL simply makes them look worse. Hooray for Science! (and economics? :o) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/466 "2015-09-03T15:18:44Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Judge overturns Brady suspension. Not much more to say that hasn’t been already said, but I’ll say it again, this whole thing was bullshit. There was nothing to this to but Patriot hatred. Too bad losers, we win again. This is my very first contribution to this long thread. I don’t really care one way or the other about the Patriots. I just wanted to note that not a single thing in the judge’s ruling suggests that the Patriots or Brady are innocent in this matter. As [this article](http://deadspin.com/judge-overturns-tom-bradys-suspension-1728456783) makes very clear: > [@](#): > > That one is really the key point here: Judge Berman wasn’t ruling on whether Brady was involved with or “generally aware” of deflated footballs. He was judging the legality of the NFL’s investigatory and disciplinary procedures: the ones that made Roger Goodell and his handpicked minions the cops, prosecutors, judge, and jury and allow the players no independent recourse. Basically, to the surprise of absolutely no-one, the NFL stepped on their own dicks yet again in a matter of rules and discipline. They think that they can do things however they like, with no semblance of consistency or transparency or fairness, and this judge rightly kicked them in the balls for it. But this judgment is completely irrelevant to the question of whether the Patriots and Tom Brady and a bunch of rat cheaters, or as pure as the driven snow. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/467 "2015-09-03T15:20:34Z")
Thanks, **sachertorte**. It’s actually disappointing that the ruling is solely on procedural violations, not on the underlying “facts” being falsified. That lets Goodell (and the haters) keep insisting on Wells’ integrity, and lets him keep the team’s record fine and loss of first round pick in place as well. I’ll predict Goodell will leave it all alone at this point, with a fig leaf still in place and only further losses to what’s left of his reputation possible. But he’ll never apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/468 "2015-09-03T15:24:35Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Thanks, **sachertorte**. > > It’s actually disappointing that the ruling is solely on procedural violations, not on the underlying “facts” being falsified. That lets Goodell (and the haters) keep insisting on Wells’ integrity, and lets him keep the team’s record fine and loss of first round pick in place as well. I’ll predict Goodell will leave it all alone at this point, with a fig leaf still in place and only further losses to what’s left of his reputation possible. But he’ll never apologize. I fully expect Goodell to apologize when you do. All the times you’ve been wrong in this thread, saying the Colts would be punished, or your “questionable” view of the facts of the case, are indeed a very good parallel to Goodell’s actions. I do really appreciate that you seem to understand that this is, in no way, a vindication of the Patriots as a team or the cheating of their equipment managers. I’d love to see that as a first step on the road to recovery for you. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/469 "2015-09-03T15:25:13Z")
The judge’s ruling does not mean he thinks Brady had nothing to with the deflation of footballs. It was based on the NFL’s procedures in their investigation and leading up to the suspension. I’m frankly surprised at the ruling and it seems the legal experts weighing in are, too. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/470 "2015-09-03T15:33:43Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > All the times you’ve been wrong in this thread Name your favorites. > [@](#): > > saying the Colts would be punished Quote me on anything other than speculation on that point. > [@](#): > > your “questionable” view of the facts of the case I’m right about the facts, and you’re wrong, across the board. Time to deal with it. > [@](#): > > are indeed a very good parallel to Goodell’s actions. That cheesehead looks a little tight on you. > [@](#): > > I do really appreciate that you seem to understand that this is, in no way, a vindication of the Patriots as a team or the cheating of their equipment managers. I’d love to see that as a first step on the road to recovery for you. The facts are what they are, and they have been explained to you very thoroughly. Someday you’ll recognize that covering them with invective doesn’t make them go away. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/471 "2015-09-03T15:39:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Name your favorites. Quote me on anything other than speculation on that point. I’ve posted them in this thread already: “The big reveal will be when - okay, if, but you know it’s when - the deflation scandal will be shown in the NFL report to have been a childish frame-up attempt by the Colts.” “Just so you haters know, the Pats might not be the team that comes out of this smelling bad:” “Let’s see what other NFL officials get fired (Mike Kensil, can you come in my office for a moment? Great), what penalties Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson and possibly John Harbaugh get from the league, and how abject the apologies get and from whom.” “The draft is just a few weeks away. If the Colts are going to be docked a pick for Deflategate, it has to happen soon.” Do I need to bold it. Or highlight them? Or maybe put them in wingdings for you? > [@ElvisLives](#): > > I’m right about the facts, and you’re wrong, across the board. Time to deal with it. Yet the Patriots are still punished by the NFL for cheating by members of their organization. Two draft picks and a fine. For cheating. Still happened. Enjoy your day. Congratulations. I’m sure it makes you happy. But lets not pretend that Brady not being suspended magically changes the fact that the Patriots were punished for cheating. Aww, who am I kidding. Of course you’re going to pretend it is. That’s what you do. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/472 "2015-09-03T15:40:56Z")
I sometimes find it amazing the NFL is as successful as it is. I suppose most of the credit for that is to be given to people who’re no longer around, like Pete Rozelle, but still. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/473 "2015-09-03T15:42:20Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > The judge’s ruling does not mean he thinks Brady had nothing to with the deflation of footballs. It was based on the NFL’s procedures in their investigation and leading up to the suspension. I’m frankly surprised at the ruling and it seems the legal experts weighing in are, too. The judge ruled that the NFL cheated when they attempted to suspend Brady. This is now Suspension-Gate. How can you continue to defend a cheater like Goodell? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/474 "2015-09-03T15:52:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The judge ruled that the NFL cheated when they attempted to suspend Brady. This is now Suspension-Gate. How can you continue to defend a cheater like Goodell? I thought it was Deflategategate? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/475 "2015-09-03T15:54:43Z")
As much as I despise Brady and the Patriots, I’m glad the suspension was overturned. I want to see them beaten on the field and have no excuses for a disappointing season. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/476 "2015-09-03T16:10:08Z")
If you have neither the evidence nor the law on your side, pound the table, right, Counselor **Hamlet**? None of your quotes say what you claim they say. There’s a ball check of a different kind going on right now. Not all of you gentlemen are passing it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/477 "2015-09-03T16:10:14Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > As much as I despise Brady and the Patriots, I’m glad the suspension was overturned. I want to see them beaten on the field and have no excuses for a disappointing season. This is how a real football fan from outside New England would feel. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/478 "2015-09-03T16:11:50Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I thought it was Deflategategate? That works too. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/479 "2015-09-03T16:32:01Z")
I can’t wait to see the day this is taught in law schools as one of the biggest screw ups ever by a billion dollar corporation. The NFL went after a flagship franchise, and one of their biggest stars and it has blown up in their faces. Not only do they look like fools, but now their entire system of Commission as judge, jury, and executioner will come under fire every time a player is disciplined. All about footballs being a bit soft in a game won 45-7. If NFL management had half a brain between them, especially after it became apparent that they had no smoking gun, and a plausible scientific reason for the deflation was presented, (Note: I said plausible, not definite - but enough that the NFL could have grabbed the Patriots’ explanation as presenting reasonable doubt to give them a way out of this mess), the NFL could have enforced the team fine, and slapped Brady with a $25,000 equipment violation fine and been done, and reached their goal of “no one is above the law.” But instead they got greedy and were shown to be incompetent. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/480 "2015-09-03T16:52:18Z")
I’m not so sure the league didn’t get what it wanted. It got a lot of free publicity in the off season. It got one of it’s most marketable stars and teams to play a whole season couple more years against the next up and coming superstar quarterback. And they get to save face with the black players(and NE haters) by saying with a straight face they went loaded for bear against a high profile white player, and didn’t back down an inch, but it was taken out of their hands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401.md?page=25)