New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday he knew nothing about the alleged tampering with game footballs in Sunday’s AFC championship win over the Indianapolis Colts.
“When I came in Monday morning I was shocked to learn of the news reports about the footballs,” Belichick said Thursday at a news conference in Foxborough, Massachusetts. “I had no knowledge whatsoever of this situation until Monday morning. I’ve learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew — or had talked about — in the last 40 years that I’ve coached in this league.
“I had no knowledge of the various steps involved in the game balls, the process that happened between when they were prepared and went to the officials and went to the game, so I’ve learned a lot about that.”
Bob Kravitz of WTHR-TV first reported the NFL was investigating the Patriots’ use of overly deflated footballs hours after New England’s 45-7 win over Indianapolis.
The league found that 11 of the Patriots’ 12 game balls were inflated below the official requirements, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Tuesday night. The NFL rule book mandates game balls must be inflated with between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds of air.
Underinflated balls can help quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers grip the ball better, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Belichick said he has never instructed any player or staff member to adjust the air pressure of a game ball.
“I can tell you that in my entire coaching career I have never talked to any player, staff member about football air pressure,” he said. “That is not a subject that I have ever brought up. To me, the footballs are approved by the league and game officials pre-game, and we play with what’s out there. And that’s the only way that I have ever thought about that.”
Belichick declined further comment when questioned by reporters during the 11-minute news conference.
“I have no explanation for what happened, and that’s what they’re looking into, so I can’t comment on what they’re doing,” Belichick said. “I have no further comment on the NFL investigation, and I’ve told you all I know about the subject from my perspective. So that’s where we are.”
If the Patriots are found to have deliberately tampered with game balls, the teams faces a fine or docked draft picks.
New England quarterback Tom Brady, who dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous” on Monday, is due to speak with media Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.
The Patriots, whose three Super Bowl championships have all come under Belichick and Brady, are no strangers to controversy.
Belichick’s team caught videotaping the sideline defensive signals of the New York Jets in 2007. After an investigation, the NFL determined the Patriots violated league rules, costing the team a first-round draft pick in 2008 and a $250,000 fine. Additionally, the coach was fined $500,000.
The Patriots meet the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on 1 February in Glendale, Arizona.
