The NFL's inquiry into whether the New England Patriots intentionally deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game has taken a new turn.
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported Monday that the league's investigation has zeroed in on a Patriots' locker-room attendant who was seen on surveillance video taking the footballs from the official's locker room into another room at Gillette Stadium before bringing them out to the field prior to kickoff against the Colts.
Glazer reported that the person of interest was already interviewed by NFL officials. The league is trying to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred.
Attorney Ted Wells, who is leading the investigation along with NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash, released a statement on the investigation Monday:
"We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation on the issue of the footballs used in the AFC Championship. This work began last week, stretched through the weekend, and is proceeding expeditiously this week notwithstanding the Super Bowl. We are following customary investigative procedures and no one should draw any conclusions about the sequence of interviews or any other steps, all of which are part of the process of doing a thorough and fair investigation. I expect the investigation to take at least several more weeks.
"In the interim, it would be best if everyone involved or potentially involved in this matter avoids public comment concerning the matter until the investigation is concluded. The results will be shared publicly."
Tom Brady told ESPN during halftime of Sunday's Pro Bowl that he doesn't expect to speak to NFL investigators until after the big game.
The new findings come just two days after Patriots coach Bill Belichick aggressively defended his team's integrity, while acknowledging that he was "embarrassed" at how much time he spent on the subject in the lead up to Super Bowl XLIX.
"We have a huge game, a huge challenge for our football team," Belichick said Saturday, adding: "I've spent more than enough time on this."
The latest Around The NFL Podcast reacts to the Patriots' deflated footballs controversy and tells you whom to trust in Super Bowl XLIX. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
