|
 But the league said it has not made any judgments and will not do
so until it concludes the investigation and considered all of the
relevant evidence.
After nearly 40 interviews, the NFL said evidence supports the
conclusion that illegal balls were used by the Patriots in the first
half but were properly inflated for the second half of their 45-7
win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
"The goals of the investigation will be to determine the explanation
for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the
playing rules and specifically whether any noncompliance was the
result of deliberate action," the NFL said in a statement.
The Patriots built a 17-7 lead in the first half on Sunday's game
and outscored the Colts 28-0 in the second half.
The growing storm over the team's use of illegal balls, which is
being referred to as 'deflate-gate,' has dominated the buildup to
the Feb. 1 Super Bowl versus the Seattle Seahawks.
 Under NFL rules, game balls must be inflated to between 12.5 and
13.5 pounds per square inch and no alteration is allowed once they
are approved.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes during
Sunday's game in wet conditions where a firm grip on a slippery ball
could have helped.
Both Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have professed
innocence regarding the deflated ball issue and said they knew
nothing about it until Monday.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said investigators spent three days at
the team's facility during which they were given access to every
full- and part-time employee they requested to speak with and every
communication device that they wanted to search.
"Competitive balance and the integrity of the game are the
foundation of what makes our league so special and I have the utmost
respect for those principles," Kraft said in a statement.
[to top of second column] |
"Our organization will continue to cooperate throughout the league's
investigation."
The NFL said it still needed to obtain more information, including
video and other electronic information and physical evidence, before
wrapping up its investigation.
The league said it had retained an investigatory firm with
sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in reviewing electronic
and video information.
"The playing rules are intended to protect the fairness and
integrity of our games. We take seriously claims that those rules
have been violated and will fully investigate this matter without
compromise or delay," the NFL said.
"The investigation is ongoing, will be thorough and objective, and
is being pursued expeditiously."
It is being led jointly by NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash
and lawyer Ted Wells, who oversaw the league's probe into the Miami
Dolphins' bullying scandal.
"As we develop more information and are in a position to reach
conclusions, we will share them publicly," the league said.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Gene Cherry)
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