How Tom Brady likes his balls is once again a subject for public debate.
Yesterday, NFL Commissioner Rogert Goodell upheld Brady's four-game suspension because he believes it is "probable" that Brady played some role in deflating footballs below league regulations last season.
In making this announcement, the NFL claimed Brady didn't simply choose not to hand over his cellphone when asked by higher-ups... he flat-out destroyed it.
Pretty shady action, if true. But still not evidence that Brady actually orchestrated what has come to be known as DeflateGate.
According a lengthy new statement from Gisele's husband, however, he played no role in the scandal and he finds this whole thing to be ridiculous.
"I am very disappointed by the NFL’s decision to uphold the 4 game suspension against me. I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either," Brady said at the outset of his statement.
He went on to decry the NFL's investigation, as well as his supposed cell phone destruction:
Despite submitting to hours of testimony over the past 6 months, it is disappointing that the Commissioner upheld my suspension based upon a standard that it was “probable” that I was “generally aware” of misconduct. The fact is that neither I, nor any equipment person, did anything of which we have been accused.
He dismissed my hours of testimony and it is disappointing that he found it unreliable.
I also disagree with yesterdays narrative surrounding my cellphone. I replaced my broken Samsung phone with a new iPhone 6 AFTER my attorneys made it clear to the NFL that my actual phone device would not be subjected to investigation under ANY circumstances.
As a member of a union, I was under no obligation to set a new precedent going forward, nor was I made aware at any time during Mr. Wells investigation, that failing to subject my cell phone to investigation would result in ANY discipline.
And, finally, as far as DeflateGate itself is concerned?
Most importantly, I have never written, texted, emailed to anybody at anytime, anything related to football air pressure before this issue was raised at the AFC Championship game in January.
To suggest that I destroyed a phone to avoid giving the NFL information it requested is completely wrong.