Despite his superb performance in the Super Bowl, rumors have it that New England Patriots player Tom Brady may be forced to retire if it is proven that he was responsible for the "Deflategate" debacle, Stabley Times reported.
Deflategate is what fans refer to the controversy that began two weeks ago surrounding the Patriots and the discovery of under-inflated footballs, according to Syracuse. The team beat the Colts 45-7 during their last game, but officials soon found out that 11 of the 12 balls were inflated less than what regulation dictated. Apparently, if the footballs were deflated, even one pound per square inch, it makes them easier to throw and catch, leading to accusations that the Patriots cheated.
An investigation into the matter pointed out the Patriots ball boy allegedly took the balls into a back room for a few moments. However, he would not have done it without the quarterback's influence and many reports are pointing out Brady as the direct culprit of the ball deflation. If proven, there was a chance he could be suspended, especially if it was discovered that this was an ongoing plan and not just a one-time offense.
If Brady ends up missing the entire 2015 season, he'll come back in September 2016. By that time, the already 39-year-old Brady would likely have been replaced by someone younger. If he ends up being suspended half a season, he could easily step back in midseason, fully rested and ready to lead the team.
Whichever is the case, he might opt to retire on a high note, especially now that the Patriots came out on top over the Seattle Seahawks during Sunday's Super Bowl XLIX game.
During the pre-game interview though, NBC interviewer Bob Costas grilled Brady about Deflategate, to which Brady replied but without directly answering the questions, according to CBS Sports.
When asked by Costas and why Brady, being a professional, didn't notice the difference in weight of the ball, Brady said, "I think it is all up to the individual."
"I was facing a great defense," he said. "It was a wet, chilly night. Things are happening pretty quickly. That last thing I was thinking about was, you know, how the ball was inflated."
Costas even asked if he thought it was fair for people to assume that the Patriots employee would only deflate the balls with Brady's influence. Brady replied that he understood why people felt that way, and said the investigation will hopefully clear up all the facts.
"If people want to feel whatever they feel, I have no problem with that. They are certainly entitled to those beliefs and those feelings," he said.
The Patriots ended up beating the Seahawks during Sunday's game with 28-24, giving Brady his fourth Super Bowl win. The investigation over the deflated balls by the NFL will follow soon after.