Deflategate

gridiron football

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July 21, 2026

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"Deflategate" was a controversy in American football involving the New England Patriots during the 2015 AFC Championship game. The team was accused of using underinflated footballs, which are easier to grip and throw farther, violating National Football League (NFL) rules.1

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for his alleged role in the incident. This suspension was later overturned by a judge, who cited overreach by Goodell. The scandal raised questions about coaching ethics and the integrity of the game.21

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Bill Belichick
New England Patriots
…what became known as “Deflategate.” However, Brady was suspended for four games of the 2015 season (which, after the appeals process ended, was served during the 2016 season), and the Patriots were fined and stripped of two upcoming draft picks for violating playing rules and not fully cooperating with…
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…what became known as “Deflategate.” However, Brady was suspended for four games of the 2015 season (which, after the appeals process ended, was served during the 2016 season), and the Patriots were fined and stripped of two upcoming draft picks for violating playing rules and not fully cooperating with…
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Tom Brady
New England Patriots
…season for his role in Deflategate and for not fully cooperating with the NFL’s investigation into the matter. Brady and his lawyers appealed the suspension, arguing that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had overstepped the bounds of the collective-bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union in handing down the…
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…season for his role in Deflategate and for not fully cooperating with the NFL’s investigation into the matter. Brady and his lawyers appealed the suspension, arguing that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had overstepped the bounds of the collective-bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union in handing down the…
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Roger Goodell
…that became known as “Deflategate,” in which the New England Patriots, led by star quarterback Tom Brady, were accused of having tampered with the balls (by partially deflating them) during the AFC Championship game on January 18; the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl on February 1.…
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…that became known as “Deflategate,” in which the New England Patriots, led by star quarterback Tom Brady, were accused of having tampered with the balls (by partially deflating them) during the AFC Championship game on January 18; the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl on February 1.…
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