Deflategate Report: Patriots Employees Probably Purposefully Deflated Footballs, Brady At Least 'Generally Aware'

A report released Wednesday on the Deflategate controversy found that New England Patriots employees probably deflated footballs and that star quarterback Tom Brady probably was "at least generally aware." The report also said, however, that there seemed to be no wrongdoing by Patriots coach Bill Belichick or the team's ownership.

The investigation, performed by Ted Wells, began after the Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts in the 2015 AFC Championship game. It named the employees it believes were probably responsible for the deflated balls and stated that Brady likely knew about their actions. The statement reads:

"In particular, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that Jim McNally (the Officials Locker Room attendant for the Patriots) and John Jastremski (an equipment assistant for the Patriots) participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee."

The report added that "it was more probable than not" that Brady knew of McNally and Jastremski's actions. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, released a statement reaffirming his belief that the team was involved in no wrongdoing.

"To say we are disappointed in its findings, which do not include any incontrovertible or hard evidence of deliberate deflation of footballs at the AFC Championship game, would be a gross understatement," Kraft said.