Even though it's been about eight years now since "Spygate"—the scandal that allegedly involved the Patriots illegally filming other teams' defensive signals—Bill Belichick & Co. are still frequently referred to as cheaters. Earlier this month, legendary NFL coach Don Shula called Belichick "Beli-cheat" during an interview with the Sun-Sentinel. So the latest story coming out of Foxborough, Mass. isn't going to sit well with a lot of Belichick's critics.
According to WTHR, the NFL is currently investigating the Patriots for allegedly deflating footballs during their AFC Championship Game against the Colts yesterday. Deflating footballs is something that makes it easier to throw and catch balls in inclement weather, and it's a very serious allegation. And if the league finds that New England did deflate footballs during the game, they could be stripped of several future draft picks by the league.
Stay tuned to see the outcome of the NFL's investigation. Regardless of what they discover, it's clear that this latest incident won't do much to help Belichick's reputation around the league.
UPDATE:
Tom Brady was asked about the allegations this morning during an appearance on Boston radio station WEEI and called them "ridiculous."
“I think I’ve heard it all at this point,” he told the Dennis and Callahan Morning Show. “…That’s the least of my worries, I don’t even respond to stuff like this.”
[via Deadspin]
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