# 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:** 8
**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:** [May 13, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/141 "2015-05-13T18:43:38Z")
So Ted Wells is apparently catching some hell because people think his report was bias based on the fact that it was commissioned by the NFL. Personally, I don’t understand why the NFL would want to find the Patriots guilty of cheating. And regarding Brady not handing over his phone, he was even asked to: > [@](#): > > Wells said Brady cooperated when interviewed but wasn’t forthcoming in providing digital evidence from his cellphone. Wells said he told Yee and Brady that the quarterback would not need to surrender his phone, nor would investigators look at private information contained on it. He also said he told Yee he would allow the agent to find the relevant information and provide a printout, yet Yee declined. > **[Ted Wells fires back at Tom Brady's agent, says Deflategate findings aboveboard](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2015/05/12/ted-wells-tom-brady-agent-don-yee-deflategate-investigation/27183425/)** > > Deflategate investigator: "Opinions were not influenced in any way shape or form by anyone in the league office." So Tom Brady and his agent could have decided for themselves what was relevant and they still declined. Unfortunately for Tom, the NFL is not a court of law. Pleading the 5th looks pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/142 "2015-05-13T19:11:38Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I don’t understand why the NFL would want to find the Patriots guilty of cheating. It does take a cynical bent, yes, but possible reasons include (A) Goodell’s ongoing desperate campaign to make people forget he gave Ray Rice two games even with the wifebeating right on video, and (B) he’s unduly influenced by living and working in New York, like most of the national sports media. He’s changed Kraft, one of the most powerful owners in sports, from a close ally and friend to his worst enemy, and that’s going to cost him his job somewhere not very far down the road. > [@](#): > > Pleading the 5th looks pretty bad. It does, and the reasons for that and for Wells not stipulating them will come out in court. Yee has offered to release what he says are verbatim notes if the NFL will permit it. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/143 "2015-05-13T22:14:17Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > No, it means it’s a source of data. You’re free to apply your own weighting criteria instead of theirs, of course, but our friend here won’t do that; but only denounce a team that Steelers fans have always hated. What’s sad is you actually believe this. I am a Steeler fan and I never had any hatred of the Patriots… Not until SpyGate, anyway. I rooted for them against the Bears in XX! Seriously, though. You need to stop and step back and think just how badly you are coming off in this thread. If you have any doubts, ask a friend that isn’t a pats fan and doesn’t know you still think Elvis is alive, and ask him to read this thread. I think you’ll see what the rest of us are seeing. Blindly defending the indefensible is the Patriot way… I guess it also applies to the fan base. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/144 "2015-05-13T22:46:54Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > No, it means it’s a source of data. You’re free to apply your own weighting criteria instead of theirs, of course, but our friend here won’t do that; but only denounce a team that Steelers fans have always hated. Please take a look at [this source of data](http://www.timecube.com/) and adjust your view of reality accordingly. It’s a source of data, you can’t just dismiss it. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/145 "2015-05-13T23:17:16Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > What’s sad is you actually believe this. That factual data about all NFL teams’ cheating history is readily available on a single website, to be assessed any way you like? Really? Guess what, you don’t have to believe me, you can simply click and find out for yourself. This board is about \*fighting \*ignorance, as you may have heard. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/146 "2015-05-14T00:08:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That factual data about all NFL teams’ cheating history is readily available on a single website, to be assessed any way you like? Really? Guess what, you don’t have to believe me, you can simply click and find out for yourself. > > This board is about \*fighting \*ignorance, as you may have heard. Factual data about Hillary Clinton’s political background is available on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com), so I’m sure you’ll be checking that out soon to fight your ignorance… ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/147 "2015-05-14T03:19:32Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > What’s sad is you actually believe this. > > I am a Steeler fan and I never had any hatred of the Patriots… Not until SpyGate, anyway. > > I rooted for them against the Bears in XX! > > Seriously, though. You need to stop and step back and think just how badly you are coming off in this thread. If you have any doubts, ask a friend that isn’t a pats fan and doesn’t know you still think Elvis is alive, and ask him to read this thread. I think you’ll see what the rest of us are seeing. > > Blindly defending the indefensible is the Patriot way… I guess it also applies to the fan base. I’m a Pats fan. I think it’s clear enough what I think. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/148 "2015-05-14T11:37:13Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That factual data about all NFL teams’ cheating history is readily available on a single website, to be assessed any way you like? Really? Guess what, you don’t have to believe me, you can simply click and find out for yourself. > > This board is about \*fighting \*ignorance, as you may have heard. Yeah, you are right. The rest ot the world, including the NFL office, all 31 other teams, and every fan base hate you. Because you have 4 lombardis? Guess what? The Steelers have 6, and the 49ers and Cowboys have 5…The Packers have 4, and a boatload of NFL championships. Do you think that’s it? No. It is that NOBODY likes a cheater. Except the cheaters and their fans, who seem to think the ends justify the means. What you all realize is no matter what, Belichick and Brady will be associated with cheating, and at a level that was unprecedented. The arrogance of the organization has passed down to most of the fan base. But Belichick will NEVER be a part of the NFL Coaching Mt. Rushmore because of this. That bothers you. Brady will always have an “\*” next to his accomplishments. Just like Barry Bonds. That bothers you. Go back to that sad website and absorb your delusions. Embrace them like a warm blanket. It’s all you have. > [@fachverwirrt](#): > > I’m a Pats fan. I think it’s clear enough what I think. Sorry. I didn’t realize. You sound much more… Rational. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/149 "2015-05-14T13:18:20Z")
Yeah, **Stink Fish Pot** , the Boston Herald ran cover page suggesting an answer to why people hate them. See the pic in this article: > **[Stop whining, Boston; the Pats got what they deserved](https://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/new-england-patriots-unfair-sanctions-deflategate-boston-herald-headline-tom-brady-easy)** > > But New England refuses to leave well enough alone. My reaction was, “Aw, they’re really proud of their four Lombardi trophies. That’s cute!” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/150 "2015-05-14T13:31:01Z")
These comments about how _I_ come across here are … interesting. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/151 "2015-05-14T13:42:58Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > These comments about how _I_ come across here are … interesting. 😉 Since they are essentially unanimous, one might hope you would find them more than just phony interesting. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/152 "2015-05-14T15:27:38Z")
It’s probably true that people care more about the Patriots breaking rules because of their success, but that’s mainly because nobody really cares if you cheat and still lose anyway. I cheer for the Chargers - they had that thing with the stickum towels, and it was barely a story. If that had been New England, it would’ve been seen as a big deal. There’s also the fact that people just think Belichick is a dick. By contrast, someone like Jerry Rice can openly admit to cheating for years without much impact at all (except from Pats fans looking for bias against their team). ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/153 "2015-05-14T15:35:37Z")
Well, to be fair, Belichick _is_ a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/154 "2015-05-14T15:58:07Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Well, to be fair, Belichick _is_ a dick. I’ve heard his mother likes him. But if being fair is something you care about, then it may be time to hand in your Patriots Fan Card. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/155 "2015-05-14T16:25:38Z")
I like him, too. I guess I like … dicks? Um, let me think about how to say that. And the Patriots are sometimes fair. They let the Giants have those two Lombardis. That’s the ticket. (I really need a hobby.) ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/156 "2015-05-14T16:57:01Z")
Well now the Pats have posted a rebuttal website: [http://wellsreportcontext.com/](http://wellsreportcontext.com/) I only skimmed it, but the thing they mention about the referee’s recollection of which gauge he used pre-game also struck me as odd when going through the Wells report. It’s not clear to me why the report asserts that his recollection is wrong, although I may have simply missed a justification given in the report somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/157 "2015-05-14T18:23:49Z")
I just read it. They offer more context to a lot of the text messages. It seems that the “deflator” comment was about losing weight, not deflating footballs. The “going to ESPN” comment was about shoes, not deflating footballs. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/158 "2015-05-14T18:34:56Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > I just read it. They offer more context to a lot of the text messages. It seems that the “deflator” comment was about losing weight, not deflating footballs. The “going to ESPN” comment was about shoes, not deflating footballs. Yeah, that’s the ticket! And the deflator took the game balls into the bathroom because he wanted to purge due to body image shame! ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/159 "2015-05-14T18:51:47Z")
When Nixon said Watergate, he was really just talking about the Hoover Dam. Honest. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401/160 "2015-05-14T19:01:44Z")
Apparently the letter is the product of the very same attorney who, we were recently promised, would make the NFL look foolish. It’s funny that his first effort is being immediately called absurd and a “truther” website! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-of-deflategate/719401.md?page=9)