Deflate Gate: NFL Investigation Turns Hypocritical with Ted Wells Statement

(Note to New England fans: This is not an article taking a shot at your team, only the NFL handling of the situation).

We have all been watching the Deflate Gate situation unfold before our very eyes. Whether or not we believe that this is an obvious case or not, and whether a resolution should have occurred by now, the situation continues.

We have heard from Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. We have heard Robert Kraft actually call out the NFL regarding their handling of the situation, which we talked about last night. It was no doubt a gutsy move.

But now we hear from the NFL. Specifically, we hear from the investigator that the NFL has brought in to lead the charge, Ted Wells:

“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.”

I know Wells isn’t the NFL, but he is backed by the NFL. With that, the statement tells the world that the NFL is more interested in money, and its biggest game, than protecting its shield, the game itself.

It’s also completely hypocritical. And don’t forget that it isn’t completely true either.

Let’s look at hypocrisy. The NFL cannot have it both ways. If the NFL is going to have a process where you can force your employees to show up and talk to the press, risking penalty if they don’t (see Marshawn Lynch), you can’t dictate the subjects that are going to be discussed. That is EXACTLY what the NFL’s independent investigator is saying. It’s the biggest issue in the NFL right now, this “deflate gate”. If you are going to force media sessions, you can’t advise people not to comment.

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It’s hypocritical. Unless, of course, you are more interested in the weekend that generates the most revenue, than you are in protecting the NFL shield, and protecting the sport. Roger Goodell has time and time again shown that if the issue can involve dollars and cents, that is the side of the issue he will fall on. Even former commissioner Paul Tagliabue understands the NFL’s current leader:

“If they see you making decisions only in economic terms, they start to understand that and question what you’re all about,” he said. “There’s a huge intangible value in peace. There’s a huge intangible value in allies.”

That is right on point. Commissioner is clearly not interested in protecting the sport, and that is the attitude radiating from the NFL’s hired investigator.

By the way, Mr. Wells isn’t being honest either. If the investigation was being handled “expeditiously”, they wouldn’t be waiting over two weeks to talk to Tom Brady. So there’s that.

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