Why Tom Brady should admit his wrongdoing

Damning details have emerged from the long-awaited Wells Report, and it turns out that Tom Brady almost assuredly knew about “Deflategate”.

The President of United States recently made light of the “Deflategate” scandal that blemished the New England Patriots‘ recent Super Bowl victory, but as it turns out, this is no laughing matter. It is an embarrassing situation that could very well tarnish the reputation of one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all-time.

Details from the Wells Report, an investigation commissioned by the NFL league office, confirms what many fans speculated from the beginning is very likely; that Tom Brady was well aware of the footballs that members of the team’s equipment and locker room staff deflated to his preference prior to the AFC Championship game.

Despite statements to the contrary from Brady, the report portrays a very different picture. Not only does lead investigator Ted Wells state that “it is more probable than not” that the alleged culprits from the Patriots organization “participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee”, but he also implicates Brady in the process. The report had the following to say about the embattled quarterback:

"“Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.”"

Also included in the report was an extensive series of text messages from the deflators, which make Brady’s involvement in the situation appear almost definite, including Brady allegedly getting upset with one of the culprits for the level of ball inflation not being to his liking earlier in the season.

While “more probable than not” is not by any means a guilty conviction, it is far from a ringing endorsement of his innocence, and Tom Brady would be wise to admit his wrongdoing before the situation gets worse.

Sports fans forgive cheaters. What they do not forgive, or forget, is cheaters who refuse to own up to their mistakes.

Take a look at two former MLB teammates in Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens. Both were using performance enhancing drugs, and both got caught. Clemens took the accusations to trial, and essentially destroyed his legacy as his name was dragged through the mud during the duration the process.

Pettitte, on the other hand, immediately manned up, and fans forgave him. He is now the same lovable figure that he was before he was caught cheating.

Tom Brady can make the right move like Pettitte made, or he can play the innocent card like Clemens chose to. If he does not want to tarnish his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Brady would be wise to own up to his wrongdoing while he still has the chance. If he waits too long, it very well could be too late.