Ex-Panthers GM on Patriots: 'It's an issue of if there is a culture of cheating'

The "Deflategate" controversy surrounding the New England Patriots' alleged tampering with game balls in last week's AFC Championship Game is bringing up hard feelings from some of the team's past opponents.

Former Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, whose team lost a close game to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, wonders if a culture of cheating permeates the Patriots organization.

Now a talk radio host on Charlotte's ESPN 730 AM, Hurney shared his thoughts on the investigation Thursday:

There isn't a day that goes by since (then) that I haven't questioned ... that there were some things done that might have been beyond the rules that may have given them a three-point advantage. And I can't prove anything, and that's why I'm very angry. And the anger has come back over the last couple of days that commissioner Roger Goodell decided to shred all of the evidence after 'Spygate,' because I think there were a lot of things in there that would bring closure to a lot of people. 

Referencing the Patriots' playoff record before and after "Spygate," Hurney goes on to stress that the franchise's problems may extend far beyond deflated footballs.

"This is a bigger issue, and I think most people are missing the issue," he said. "It's an issue of if there is a culture of cheating at the organization that most people look at as the gold standard in this league. Is there a culture of cheating and breaking the rules?"

The NFL released a statement on the issue Friday, indicating the investigation could extend beyond next weekend's Super Bowl.