JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell said he doesn't believe Tom Brady didn't know about deflated footballs during the AFC Championship game.
Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback, held a news conference Thursday to address questions. He said he didn't alter the balls in any way and the NFL hasn't talked to him about the investigation.
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Brunell appeared on ESPN Thursday.
"I didn't believe Tom Brady. The balls were deflated. Somebody deflated those balls. There is not one equipment manager or ball boy in the NFL that would take it upon himself to deflate a football 2 PSI unless the starting quarterback knew about it. The equipment guys have one job to do. To make sure the shoulder pads, cleats, helmets and footballs to make sure they're properly equipped to the players' specifications," said Brunell.
Brunell said he was satisfied with what he heard from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at an earlier news conference. Belichick said he didn't hear about the deflated balls until Monday morning.
"My experience, having six head coaches, not one time did I have a conversation about the condition of the footballs going into the game. On game day, they're obviously concerned about other things. They're concerned about getting their team in the right position to win the football game. No question," said Brunell.
When asked if there's any chance the footballs were a little light but got wet and damp and Brady couldn't tell the difference, Brunell said there's no chance.
"You know the difference. I had a tough time watching that press conference. The footballs, that is the livelihood of the quarterback. They know full well. In my experience, I had about 150 starts. Before every game I touched, squeezed, held every football I had to make sure it met my specifications," said Brunell.
Brunell feels rules were broken and this investigation is important to the integrity of the game.
When a reporter asked Brady whether he was a cheater, the quarterback replied: "I don't believe so. I've always played within the rules."
He said he was unhappy "Deflategate" had taken the focus away from the Patriots upcoming Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks.