Transcript shows Patriots QB Tom Brady denied deflating footballs
During his appeal hearing with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Tom Brady denied any wrongdoing or participation in the alleged deflation of footballs by the Patriots.
Goodell asked Brady outright during the June 23 hearing if the quarterback had ever asked Patriots personnel or staff to “alter the footballs in any way” after approving them prior to a game, to which he replied no.
The commissioner followed up by asking Brady, specifically, if he had ever told a member of the Patriots organization to “change the inflation level” of the footballs or “do anything” regarding it after giving his approval of the balls. Brady also replied no.
Goodell then asked Brady what his reaction would be if, in theory, anyone with the team had altered the footballs after he gave his approval. “I would disapprove of that,” Brady replied, while under oath.
The full transcript of Brady's testimony from his appeal hearing was published Tuesday,when the NFL Players Association filed a counterclaim on his behalf in a New York court.
The entire transcript can be read here.
- Jeremy Woo