Watt wouldn't have destroyed cell phone, Texans owner says about 'Deflategate'
The "Deflategate" saga has captivated the football world since this year's AFC Championship Game, as players and personnel from around the league continue to weigh in on the seemingly never-ending drama surrounding one of the most recognizable players in NFL history.
The latest to chime in is Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, who suggested Tuesday that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots only found themselves in a precarious situation because they failed to cooperate with the NFL's investigation.
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, McNair said, would not have handled the situation in the same way Brady did.
"If it was J.J. Watt, I think he would have been cooperative, and it wouldn't be a question. ... I don't think J.J. would destroy his cell phone," McNair said in an appearance on Houston's Sports Radio 610, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.
"What escalated the whole thing is that Brady and the Patriots were going to cooperate fully, and then when it came down to it, they didn't. If it was J.J. Watt, I think he would have been cooperative, and it wouldn't be a question. ... I don't think J.J. would destroy his cell phone."
The NFL was widely criticized for handing down substantial penalties based on the findings of the Wells report, and Brady's suspension remains in the hands of a federal judge after the NFLPA filed a lawsuit against the league on his behalf.
McNair believes the league's case against Brady lacks evidence, but said the process was more about the NFL maintaining competitive balance than anything else.
"Is there anything conclusive there? No, you don't have any conclusive evidence," he said. "But the whole idea is we want to make sure we have a competitive playing field that's level for everybody ... don't want people breaking the rules."
The battle between the NFL and NFLPA finally appears to be reaching a conclusion over seven months removed from the game in question, as U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman said Tuesday he expects to issue a ruling by the end of the week.