Tom Brady says he didn't alter footballs throughout playoffs
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady denied altering footballs throughout the AFC Championship Game at a press conference Wednesday.
Brady and the Patriots have come under scrutiny for allegedly deflating game balls during the playoffs.
"I didn't alter the balls in any way," Brady said.
Per NFL rules, game balls must be inflated to 12.5 pounds per square inch.
"I didn't alter the ball in any way. I have a process I go through... when I pick those balls out to me they're perfect.
"I feel like I've always played within the rules. I would never do anything to break the rules."
Brady: "I like them at 12.5. I think that's a perfect grip for a football."
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 22, 2015
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick denied any involvement in the burgeoning scandal in a separate press conference Wednesday.
"I was shocked to learn of the footballs on Monday. I had no knowledge until Monday morning," Belichick said. "I'd say I've learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew, or had talked about it, in the last 40 years that I've coached in this league."
Tom Brady says he picked out 24 footballs before the AFC title game for officials to inspect before the game.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 22, 2015
New England is looking to win its fourth Super Bowl during Brady and Belichick's regime.
"I don't like the fact that this is taking away from some of the accomplishment that we've achieved as a team," Brady said.
Brady claimed that he did not change his routine prior to the AFC Championship Game.
"I go in there and I choose however many balls are necessary for the game... This particular game it was 24. They were perfect."
The Patriots' quarterback revealed that the league has not spoken to him about the incident, a curious development with 10 days before the big game.
New England routed Indianapolis 45-7 en route to Super Bowl XLIX, and it's unlikely the air pressure level in the footballs would have much of a difference. Nonetheless, the two-time NFL MVP appeared visibly uncomfortable throughout the 45-minute press conference.
"I'm going to be OK. This isn't ISIS. No one's dying."