Patriots coach denies ‘deflate-gate’ knowledge
NFL is investigating claims whether the Patriots used deflated footballs in their rout of the Colts.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick denied any knowledge of the footballs being deflated for Sunday’s AFC Championship game win.
The NFL is investigating whether the Patriots used deflated balls to gain a better grip in their rout of the Indianapolis Colts which secured them a Super Bowl berth against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I was completely and totally unaware of this until Monday morning,” said Belichick in a televised news conference. “I have no explanation for what happened I can’t comment on what they (the NFL) are doing that is something you should talk to them about.
“In my entire coaching career, I have never talked to a player or staff member about football air pressure.”
The issue of the deflated balls has dominated the early build-up to the Super Bowl with questions raised given the Patriots have broken NFLrules before.
In 2007, the league fined Belichick the league maximum $500,00 and the Patriots $250,000, along with forfeiture of a draft pick, for videotaping an opponent’s defensive signals.
Belichick said he had always considered the football’s condition a matter purely for officials.